Great Press for Jacky Janodet, Domaines Les Fines Graves and Domaines Vieilles Caves

January 17, 2017

We have loved the stuff forever, and are thrilled to see our darling cultivar, Gamay, getting its critical due. The belated Jacky was a wonderful guy and we asked Mike to recall the moment when he started importing the wines:

“Jacky was a very mild-mannered guy, a bit of a quiet type. He assembled his domaine bit by bit. He and his wife were from old farming families, not exclusively wine growers, and he gradually evolved into that. He was Gilles Noblet’s brother in law, that’s how I met him. I was kind of awestruck when Noblet asked if I was interested in Cru Beaujolais and introduced me to Jacky. When I started for World Shippers in Chicago in 1985, Janodet wines were the darlings of the market. Then for whatever reason the wines faded away. So when I met Jacky some 15 years later, I was a little awe-struck, like “Gilles, you mean the Jacky Janodet?” Of course I jumped at the chance to work with his wines.”-Michael Corso

You can read the reviews below and see that Josh Raynolds was a little awestruck too!

“The last three vintages for Beaujolais have been a string of home runs, but 2015 is likely to be the one that delivers the greatest impact and pleasure for most wine lovers. Two thousand fifteen has plenty of candidates for wine of the year; wines that deliver concentration and energy, with opulent fruit character and the classic core of acidity that gives Beaujolais its trademark vivacity. These wines are also built to age but at the same time display an exuberance that makes many of them pretty irresistible now.”  Josh Raynolds, ”Vinous” January, 2017

2015 Domaine Les Fines Graves Beaujolais-Villages

“Vivid red. Pungent aromas of ripe cherry, blackberry licorice and mocha carry a smoky mineral top note. Pliant dark fruit flavors and hints of rose pastille and bitter chocolate, along with a jolt of cracked pepper that adds back-end cut. Finishes broad, smooth and quite long, revealing no rough edges and a lingering suggestion of sappy dark berries. This wine consistently delivers great value and punches well above its weight ". 90 Points “Vinous”, Jan. 2017

2015 Domaine Les Fines Graves Moulin-à-Vent
“Bright violet. Blue fruits, candied licorice and peppery spices on the deeply perfumed nose and in the mouth. Lush and expansive in style, showing very good depth as well as vivacity thanks to a core of juicy acidity and a smoky mineral flourish. The mineral quality carries strongly through a long, sappy finish that's framed by supple, even tannins.”  92 Points “Vinous”, Jan. 2017

2014 Domaine Les Fines Graves Chénas
“Ruby-red. Spice-accented cherry and black raspberry aromas show excellent clarity, and hints of licorice and pungent flowers add complexity. Supple, sweet and energetic on the palate, offering concentrated red and blue fruit and bitter chocolate flavors that show a suave combination of richness and vivacity. Finishes smooth, seamless and very long; a vibrant jolt of juicy acidity lends lift and cut.”  92 Points Vinous Jan. 2017

2014 Domaine Vieilles Caves Saint-Amour
“Limpid violet. Dark berries, peppery spices and potpourri on the nose; suave mineral and cola nuances emerge with aeration. Juicy, concentrated and focused on the palate, offering sappy black raspberry, cherry and lavender pastille flavors that become more energetic with air. Shows very good power and mineral lift on the finish, which hangs on with impressive, floral-tinged persistence.” 91 Points “Vinous”, Jan. 2017