Chateau Thivin
The site now occupied by Chateau Thivin was originally planted by the Romans, and is the one of the oldest cellars in Beaujolais, built on the slope of Mont Brouilly so all wine movements are done by gravity. All of Chateau Thivin’s organically-grown, largely old-vine Gamay is planted on the slopes of Mont Brouilly, an extinct volcano. The slope is much like the hills of Hermitage or Scharzhofberg; vines are planted predominantly on the sunny southern face (and some south-east also) there are some beautiful bush vines among the mostly old growth.
Chateau Thivin's wines are made with time tested methods, in a very old-world style. Whole bunches are put in tanks, the lids are shut, and nothing is touched for a week! All reds except Cuvee Zaccherie matured in large (mostly old) barrels.
These wines easily age for 20+ years (and become exceptional old wines) but due to the power, balance and complexity, are also great to drink young. Enjoy!
Cheers, Randall.
These wines are available and ready for dispatch!
2021 Thivin Cote de Brouilly 'Les Sept Vignes'
RRP: $59 | Offer: $55
Dozen Price: $52
Magnum: $146
"This can be one of the best Chateau Thivin wines, unforced and pretty really. Fine tannin, gravel and dried cherry, detail of earth and dried herbs and a sense of minerality. Spot on. It’s succulent and long, bright and fresh yet also savoury. It’s such a delicious wine. Juicy, earthy, red fruits, light ferrous notes, orange citrus characters. Fine grip through the wine but with fruitiness. Far out. The whole thing drinks with such charm. Elegant and beautiful drinking, with regional character on show. I’m all over it. Such an outstanding drink. Crikey." - Mike Bennie
"In years like 2021, the Côte’s signature minerality is at the forefront, offering crunchy, smoky nuances from the very first sip. Alcohol is low, the Gamay fruit is pure and bright, and aromas of purple flowers and herbs round out its delightful complexity. For lovers of old-fashioned Beaujolais, Thivin’s newly arrived 2021 is simply hard to beat." - Anthony Lynch
Pssst. Don't buy this to drink now, buy it to age for 5 or 10 years please!
2020 Chateau Thivin Beaujolais Villages 'Vignes d'Ecussol' Gamay Noir
RRP: $43 | Offer: $36
6-Pack Price: $34
The Geoffrey family who have worked these vineyards for 6 generations make this wine from east facing 50 year old vines on granite soil. Hand harvested and vinified using semi-carbonic winemaking , then aged in neutral inox (stainless steel) tanks. Bright crunchy red fruit with an earthy edge and a very long finish.
2021 Thivin Coteaux Rhodanien Rouge 'Utopia'
RRP: $75 | Offer: $69
This wine comes from vines that have NEVER been sprayed with any chemical treatments, not even “organic” copper or sulphur! The entire bunches are fermented in large oak vats for 7 days, then the wine is aged in older pieces for around 9 months.
As Sonja says so accurately, “It’s a very deep red wine with purplish nuances. A nose of black fruits blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrant and a hint of pepper. A spicy and juicy palate with satiny tannins and a succulent finish.” I couldn’t write a better note myself! It's made from disease-resistant, thick-skinned hybrid varieties, but it tastes very much like gamay! - Randall
As Sonja says so accurately, “It’s a very deep red wine with purplish nuances. A nose of black fruits blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrant and a hint of pepper. A spicy and juicy palate with satiny tannins and a succulent finish.” I couldn’t write a better note myself! It's made from disease-resistant, thick-skinned hybrid varieties, but it tastes very much like gamay! - Randall
2019 Thivin Cote de Brouilly 'Clos Bertrand'
Offer: $79
This comes from the les Clos (as it is now called) from around the Thivin cellar. It is a rich and supple, but deep wine, good to age. Not quite as dense as the 100yo vine Godefroy.
"Dark cherry, damp earth and green herb, some spice and dried rose. Ripe and flavoursome, chewy tannin and blood orange tang, good finish too, with grip and grain to close." 94 Points! - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
"Dark cherry, damp earth and green herb, some spice and dried rose. Ripe and flavoursome, chewy tannin and blood orange tang, good finish too, with grip and grain to close." 94 Points! - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
2020 Thivin Cote de Brouilly 'Clos Bertrand'
Offer: $79
"Tart, edgy expression with sour cherry, alpine herb notes, white pepper in the mix. Bright and vivacious expression, a little loose knit but not without a chew of fine, lacy tannins to tighten. Vibrant, lifted, exciting. An alt-expression that feels enticing in its drinkability and purity of feel." 93 Points! - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
The Clos Bertrand or Les Clos as it is now called is from the ancient vineyard adjacent to the Thivin manor house and cellar, is the most supple of the single site wines. It has a riotous aroma of lifted strawberry and red berry fruit with meaty, burgundy-like reduction, rose petal and lovely mineral volcanic rock character. It has a nice round voluminous palate with seductive silky tannins.
The Clos Bertrand or Les Clos as it is now called is from the ancient vineyard adjacent to the Thivin manor house and cellar, is the most supple of the single site wines. It has a riotous aroma of lifted strawberry and red berry fruit with meaty, burgundy-like reduction, rose petal and lovely mineral volcanic rock character. It has a nice round voluminous palate with seductive silky tannins.
2021 Thivin Cote de Brouilly 'Le Clos'
Offer: $79
"From an outcropping of pink granite in the historic southwest-facing enclosed vineyards of the Château Thivin, the 2021 Côte de Brouilly Clos Bertrand wafts from the glass with aromas of sweet plums, berries and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, ample and seamless, it's beautifully refined and elegant, with melting tannins, succulent acids and a long, perfumed finish." 93 Points! - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
2020 Thivin Cote de Brouilly 'Godefroy'
Offer: $94
This is the oldest vine selection, with these ancient gnarled stalwarts giving a wine for cellaring.
"The 2020 Côte de Brouilly Godefroy, taken from foudre, has a distinctly more floral bouquet at this moment, delivering plenty of tightly wound black cherry and blueberry fruit and lots of energy. The palate is structured, with grippier tannins than the La Chapelle, maybe more austere and backward, as usual predicting a cuvée that will deserve cellaring." 93 Points! - Neal Martin, Vinous
2021 Thivin Cote De Brouilly 'Godefroy'
Offer: $94
"From ancient vines, the 2021 Côte de Brouilly Godefroy reveals aromas of sweet berries, cherries, vine smoke, peony and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, ample and racy, with a fleshy core of fruit girdled by tangy acids, it concludes with a long, saline finish." 92 Points - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
2021 Thivin Cote de Brouilly 'La Chapelle'
Offer: $84
“Bright cherry red. So fragrant, floral and prettily spiced. 'Could be on the Côte d’Or', says seasoned Burgundy and Beaujolais merchant Roy Richards.
Wonderful purity on the nose. On the palate, really spicy and so tangy, with zesty yet deep red fruit. Intense, lively and scented on the palate too, with definite but elegant structure and a long life ahead. Utterly mouth-watering and so persistent. Gorgeous." 93 Points - Julia Harding MW. James Suckling.com.
2020 Thivin Cote de Brouilly 'Cuvee Zaccharie'
Offer: $113
LIMITED!
"Aromas of rich berry fruit, plums, sweet spices, vanilla pod and orange rind introduce the 2020 Côte de Brouilly Cuvée Zaccharie, a medium to full-bodied, deep and layered wine that's serious and concentrated, with lively acids and a long, sapid finish. While this cuvée can sometimes be quite overtly marked by its élevage in barrels, the sheer intensity of the 2020 seems to be well on the way to absorbing its oak." 93 Points - William Kelly, Wine Advocate.
