Ducroux vines, summer 2019 (photo E. Lillie)

The Beautiful Natural Wines of Christian Ducroux!

Share

Chambers Street is honored to work with Christian Ducroux, who produces some of the world's most vibrant and delicious natural wines from his five hectares of living soils in Thulon, above Regnié-Durette in the Beaujolais. The estate has been practising organic and Biodynamic farming, with minimal plowing, (i.e. regenerative agriculture) since 1985.

Christian Ducroux

We visited Christian early this month, and of course had a wonderful few hours in the beauty of his vineyards and cellar. He seems well, and is very happy that his son Thibault will continue the estate with the same aesthetic and methods.

He has just shipped the 2021 Exspectatia (or is it Exspectatio?), the 2020 Patience, the 2022 Rosé "Esquisse" and the 2022 Prologue. All the wines showed beautifully, although the rosé was bottled a few days before and will need some time to recover.

Christian aims for mature grapes, but that have low sugar levels, in the style of Jules Chauvet, with normally 10.5 to 12.5% alcohol as finished wines. Vinifications here are with wild yeasts, with zero sulfur or other additives, in a semi-carbonic style. with the different cuvées determined by the origin of the juice - free-run, or earlier or later parts of the press. But winemaking is not the main topic of conversation chez Ducroux, as discussions usually revolve around the diversity of trees and shrubs in the vineyard, the effects of occasional shallow plowing, animals in the vineyard and other topics regarding the health of the soil -  the factors that contribute to a beautiful living wine.  It's hard to communicate the committment and energy at this estate, showing that viticulture can be healthy, almost totally self-sufficient, and beneficial to its environment while producing vibrant natural wines at the highest levels of artistry! 

One case max please for "Exspectatia," "Prologue" and "Esquisse," two-bottle maximum please for "Patience." (Please inquire re additional quantities) Late March arrival.

No Longer Available

Ducroux 2022 Vin de France Prologue

The 2022 "Prologue" shows a lovely red/black color and very pretty raspberry, plum and peppery aromas. The palate is light but quite ripe, lush, earthy  and delicious at 11.5% alcohol. A bit more structured than usual, some free-run juice with juice from the first press.  Sensational, with a little supernatural funk of course, serve it cool and be happy...!

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $19.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • No Sulfur

Ducroux, Christian 2021 Vin de France Exspectatia

The 2021 Exspectatia was bottled in August 2022 after a longer than usual elevage. Tasted at the estate in early February, the wine showed earthy raspberry and floral aromas and a light, supple palate with ripe raspberry, cherry and earth flavors at 11.5% alcohol, with citrus and minerals in the long clean finish. Lovely, drink without moderation...

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $20.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • No Sulfur

Ducroux 2022 Vin de France Esquisse Rosé

Christian Ducroux's unique "Esquisse" Rosé is a totally natural wine, made without sulfur-dioxide or other additives or adjustments, 100% Gamay from a high-altitude parcel above Thulon, and often containing the secondary grapes ("grisemottes") harvested in late October. Low alcohol (11.5%) and ultra-refreshing. The 2022 was bottled at the end of January. Delightful bright raspberry, floral aromas, round pretty fruit on the palate, but a little funky now, give this some time to recover.

  • Out of Stock
  • rosé
  • 0 in stock
  • $18.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • No Sulfur