In Beaujolais, France

« Les Griottes de Brulhié » Côte-de-Brouilly

Our “solar” plot that benefits from a fine south-east-facing position on steep slopes.

Les Griottes de Brulhié, Côte-de-Brouilly, Château Thivin Les Griottes de Brulhié, Côte-de-Brouilly, Château Thivin
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Grape varieties

A majority of white-juiced Gamay noir and a few Chardonnay vines that add finesse (1–2%)

Terroir

5 ha south-facing vineyard half-way up the hillside; already famous in the 17th century, as Louvet wrote in his History of the Beaujolais Wine Region written in 1635:

“on the hill of Brulhié (Brouilly), in the parish of Oudenas (Odenas) […] which slope or hill bears the best wines of the region”.

Shallow soil over “blue stones” a magmatic rock also called Metadiorite.

Cultivation

The vines are at a density of 7,000 vines/ha laid out with grassed and flower strips for the diversification of the flora and to let our small, light tractors through, we alternate tilling with controlled natural grassing. Hand-picking
Converting to Organic, Terra Vitis certified for 12 years.
 

Vinification

The grapes are wholly picked by hand and vinified partly in whole bunches in our hillside cellars, whose successive levels allow us to make maximum use of gravity, so as to avoid using either pumps or conveyors for the grapes. After pressing, the wine is matured in oak tuns for 7–9 months.

Tasting

Fresh, fruity bouquet of cherries, wild strawberries, and peony; juicy and mineral on the palate, with a fresh finish of black fruits and a hint of spices.

Côte-de-Brouilly «Les Griottes de Brulhié» Ratings and awards

2008
2010
2011
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Stuart Pigott

94

«Expressive, yet delicate, aromas of blood orange and wild strawberry that are still very youthful. Quite a serious tannin structure for this appellation, but they are already polished. Crisp, long finish with plenty of fruity vitality. From the south-facing side of the hill of Brouilly where the soil is volcanic diorite. 94 (SP)»
Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate

92+

«From the steep slopes of the Côte de Brouilly, the 2023 Côte de Brouilly Les Griottes de Brulhié delivers a bold profile of chocolate, blackberry and cherry, complemented by sous-bois, graphite and spice. The palate opens softly, with a plush and rounded entry, transitioning into a mid-palate marked by brisk, chalky tannins. Tangy acidity balances the medium to full-bodied weight, while the graphite lingers long after the fruit fades. Bright and dynamic, this is a wine worth seeking out. By Kenna Wells»
James Suckling

95

«Despite the great appeal of its deep sour-cherry and violet aromas, this has a very serious structure, the ample tannins married to abundant crushed-rock minerality. Excellent drive, also thanks to the wet-stone acidity that illuminates the crescendo finish. From a southeast-facing site on the midslope of Cote de Brouilly. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now but best from 2026.»
Le guide des meilleurs vins de France 2026

92

Bettane + Dessauve

91

Bettane + Dessauve

94

Le guide des meilleurs vins de France 2025

93

Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate

92

«The 2022 Les Griottes de Brulhié wonderfully captures its blue volcanic rock terroir, delivering aromas of candied red and black cherries, candied peel, sweet pea blooms and sweet spices. The wine's components are present in beautiful harmony, carefully extracted to reveal polished structuring tannins and bright acids that animate its juicy berry-fruited core. Medium-bodied, the wine boasts a lush concentration of flavor and great depth on the mid-palate, with layers of dried herbs and a crystalline salinity that surface on the lengthy, flavorful finish. By Kenna Wells»
James Suckling

94

«Stunning nose of ripe sour cherries with a hint of raw meat. Impressive structure on the medium- to full-bodied palate. In spite of that you could already drink this firmly mineral wine now thanks to the excellent balance in the imposing yet succulent finish. From a southeast facing site on the mid-slope of Cote de Brouilly. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.»
Bourgogne Aujourd'hui

17.5/20

Le guide des meilleurs vins de France 2024

92

Falstaff

94

Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate

92

«Bursting with aromas of sweet red berries, rose petals, cracked pepper and orange rind, the 2021 Côte de Brouilly Les Griottes de Brulhié is medium to full-bodied, taut and tangy, with supple tannins, racy acids and a long, saline finish. From high-altitude, southeast-facing holdings, it's one of the more tensile wines in this year's portfolio. By William Kelley»
James Suckling

92

«Attractive nose of cherries, lemon rind, licorice, cloves and tea leaves. Balanced and juicy, with a medium body and relatively firm, grainy tannins. I like the dry minerality and tea-like undertones. Better from 2023.»
Le guide des meilleurs vins de France 2023

93

Bourgogne Aujourd'hui

16/20

RVF guide vert

92

James Suckling

93

«A bright, balanced Beaujolais with cherry, strawberry and orange-peel aromas and flavors. It’s medium-to full-bodied with pretty fruit and a firm, creamy-textured finish. Drink or hold.»
Robert Parker (TWA)

92

«The 2018 Côte de Brouilly Les Griottes de Brulhié derives from a sunny, steeply sloping, southeasterly exposed site. Bursting with aromas of cherries, cassis, smoked meats, spices and wild berries, it's medium to full-bodied, enveloping and succulent, with an open-knit, giving profile despite some youthfully chewy tannin. It, too, is showing well. By William Kelley»
RVF

93

Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate

92

«The 2018 Côte de Brouilly Les Griottes de Brulhié derives from a sunny, steeply sloping, southeasterly exposed site. Bursting with aromas of cherries, cassis, smoked meats, spices and wild berries, it's medium to full-bodied, enveloping and succulent, with an open-knit, giving profile despite some youthfully chewy tannin. It, too, is showing well.»
James Suckling

93

«Black cherry, flint, cedar and spice on the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied and compact with a tannic background. Drink or hold.»
Beaujolais Aujourd'hui

17/20

«Robe grenat, intense. Arômes riches, "solaires" et précis de cerises noires, de chocolat...Beau jus en bouche, concentré, frais, équilibré et long. CT»
Bettane + Dessauve

16

RVF guide vert

16

Bettane & Desseauve

15.5/20

«Nez explosif, cerise noire, poivre. Pulpeux, très frais, tannique, finale austère mais longue et juteuse, sur le fruit.»
RVF

17/20

«Le scintillant "Les Griottes de Brulhié" affiche un fruit poivré et de la violette. La bouche est charnue, avec une matière enveloppée et un joli grain de tanin.»
Beaujolais Aujourd'hui

16.5

Julia Harding MW (Jancis Robinson)

17.5 points

James Suckling

93

«An attractive flinty edge with perfectly ripe raspberries and wild cherries. The palate is cut with neatly tailored tannins, making the wine super smooth, long and even. Drink or hold.»
Bettane & Desseauve

16,5/20

Bettane & Desseauve

16,5/20

James Suckling

92

«This has plenty of sappy fruit, energetic and appealing. Loaded with red and blue fruit flavor, fine pastry-like tannins, fleshy boysenberry and a raspberry finish. Drink now or hold for up to 5 years.»
Beaujolais Aujourd'hui

15

James Suckling

92

«Beautiful blue fruits and a wealth of violet-like fragrance on offer here. This has impressive freshness and appeal, lovely liquorice-flecked palate; boysenberry, fluid, gently grainy tannins. Balanced neatly. Drink now.»
La Revue du Vin de France

17,5/20

«Encore chamboulé par le gaz, le vin frappe par sa finale charnue et ses parfums persistants.»
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