2018 Domaine de Fa Beaujolais Rouge

Region: France, Beaujolais
Farming: Organic
Grape Varieties: Gamay 

 Dry, med-bodied red; spice-dusted cherries | Croque monsieur

Whole cluster fermentation, semi-carbonic maceration. Aged in cement tanks and foudres.

En Besset was the first plot of land that Antoine and Maxime purchased in 2013. These 5 hectares are at the northernmost edge of the Beaujolais appellation, right on the border with the Mâconnais and close to Saint-Amour, where the brothers have more recently acquired vines. The name of the wine comes from one of Saint-Amour's 12 climats, Côte de Besset. The brothers source fruit for this wine from non-cru vines within this climat, and blend it with Beaujolais-Villages and Beaujolais fruit.

Brothers Antoine and Maxime Graillot are the heirs to the Rhône powerhouse that is Domaine Alain Graillot. With their father Alain tending the Crozes-Hermitage vines that he bought in 1985, the brothers cast their eyes further afield for an opportunity to try their own hands at running a winery. 

Combining plans to renovate a family property in Beaujolais with the brothers' deep affection for Gamay, they settled their sights on Beaujolais. "Domaine de Fa" is short for "Faye", which is the lieu-dit where the brothers have set up their winery operations in a converted stable.