Manoir du Carra Cru Juliénas "Les Bottières" 2020

Description

Manoir du Carra Juliénas Les Bottières 2020 is a Beaujolais wine from the Cru Juliénas. This area of Beaujolais in renowned for its heartier, darker-coloured interpretation of the Gamay grape whilst retaining the fruity character for which Beaujolais wines are known. The slightly more structured wine also means that it is a Beaujolais wine that can develop in bottle and be kept for several years. As it ages it becomes more complex. Les Bottières also known as La Bottière and sometimes En Bottiére is one of ten Juliénas lieux-dits or vineyard areas known for specific soils in this case granite and schist which give the wine a touch of minerality.

Manoir du Carra Juliénas Les Bottières 2020 has a deep red hue and smells of the fresh red berries that you would expect from Gamay – think ripe strawberries, raspberries, and cherries with delicate floral notes of violets and hints of baking spice. There is a nod to the more hearty nature of the wine in some subtle earthy undertones. The flavours mostly mirror the aromatic profile. Juicy red fruits dominate, with succulent strawberry and raspberry flavours. In the background there is some black pepper and a touch of minerality which add depth. The wine’s silky tannins and well-integrated acidity are beautifully balanced with the fruity character of the wine and there is a long, elegant finish.

Five generations of the Sambardier family have run Manoir de Carra, now expanded to 37 hectares. Jean-Noel Sambardier and his two sons use traditional methods to make this lovely wine and benefit from old vines, between 50 and 100-years old, which give intense and complesx wines. Manoir du Carra has “High Environmental Value” (HEV) certification which means they follow strict environmentally-friendly practices. They shun chemical fertilizers and pesticides where possible and do not add sulphur to their wines.

For an amazing sparkling white wine, try Manoir du Carra Crémant de Bourgogne.