Brian McMahon

Sales Polaner Selections

9.4

Varietals: Gamay
Organic: Certified
Vineyard: A true clos (walled vineyard) and eight hectare monopole of Dutraive's. Vine age ranges from 30-70 years old. A true clos (walled vineyard) and eight hectare monopole of Dutraive's. Made from the oldest vines in the vineyard, planted in the 1940s.
Orientation: South, southeast-facing
Soil: Pink granite shingles
Viticulture: No herbicides or pesticides, organically farmed, certified since 2009 vintage.
Vinification: Traditional vinification without sulfur and with natural yeast at very low temperatures. Carbonic maceration and little or no filtering.
Aging: 100% in 1-5 year old french oak barrels

Rating: 92 JG
The old vine bottling from Monsieur Dutraive hails from a parcel of sixty-five to seventyfive year-old vines and is raised entirely in Burgundy barrels, ranging from one to five years of age, so there is a little wood influence to this cuvée. The 2013 is outstanding, offering up a deep and nascently complex bouquet of cherries, raspberries, coffee, gamebird, lovely soil tones, spice elements redolent of clove and mace, a bit of mustard seed and a nice touch of cedary new wood. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and youthfully structured, with a sappy core, fine soil signature and a bit of tannin to resolve on the long, youthful finish. This is emphatically not a classic style of Fleurie, but it is an extremely well-made wine whose inspiration seems to be as much Vosne-Romanée as it is Fleurie. The focus and balance here are impeccable and I see no reason this wine will not age superbly well, and for those who are looking for a gateway Fleurie to make the transition from the Côte d’Or to Cru Beaujolais, this is a perfect wine! 2017-2030+. - John Gilman — 11 years ago

Max Gottesfeld, FWS, CSW

9.6

2010 vintage. A perfect gateway wine to the bizarre. — 12 years ago

Danny Gabai

9.0

Old standard. A gateway IPA. — 11 years ago

Paul Schmidt

9.3

This was the first great wine experience. The first time I stepped out for an unknown varietal from an unknown locale. This was a gateway! — 11 years ago

with Ashley

Jannae Lizza

Sommelier/Wine Director Passionfish Restaurant

9.4

Gateway to the orange side — 12 years ago

Paolo Mello

10

My "gateway" wine. Wow. — 13 years ago

Dyann Panepinto

10

76 on WS top 100 list Gateway Lodge 2014 — 11 years ago

Chaad Thomas

Owner, First Tier Imports

9.0

Forgive me for lovin' the juice, but this Douro red brings it with such elegance and grace. It's meaty and sophisticated, juicy and nuanced, bright and plush...well pit together in the best of the modern sense. It feels, well, indulgent. If there's such a thing as a Portuguese 'gateway' way into into Cali cults, this may be The One! — 12 years ago

Bryan A

9.2

Love it. Great gateway drink to explore the potential of Picpoul grape. Label is cool too. — 12 years ago

Kimberly Waldrop

10

Gateway Riesling, duh. — 13 years ago