This is the second half of my conversation with Romain Teyteau, the Export Manager for Les Vins Georges Dubœuf. We had started off our Zoom chat talking a bit about the company and their famous flower-label wines.

We then moved on to what Dubœuf refers to as their “Domaines et Châteaux” line of wines where they partner with individual growers in the ten Beaujolais Cru villages to produce some really spectacular wines. Before getting into the wines, I asked Romain how one becomes a partner in the program:

Next, Romain explains that the winegrowers selected into the Domaines et Châteaux program are much more than business partners, they become part of the Dubœuf family:

While these relationships are obviously very important to Les Vins Georges Dubœuf, it is very much a two-way street. In fact, the producers likely value the partnership much more highly:

It is difficult for many Americans to understand the négociant relationship to begin with since it is rather rare in this country. Les Vins Georges Dubœuf’s version of the négociant model is also unique in France:

Of course, we also tasted some wine “together” starting with the Clos des Quatre Vents from Fleurie:

2018 Georges Dubœuf Fleurie Clos des Quatre Vents, Beaujolais, France: Retail $25. 100% Gamay. Of all the wines from the Georges Dubœuf portfolio, I have perhaps the fondest memories (and best pictures) from le Clos des Quatre Vents. Dark in the glass, with aromas of dark fruit (blackberry, plum), earth, and black pepper. The palate is gorgeous: an initial wave of red fruit, followed by earth and a zingy acidity. Fleurie is considered the most “delicate” of all the Crus but this 2018 really packs some power. Wonderful. Excellent. 91 Points.

That’s a lot of video for one day! I will be back next week with the rest of my conversation with Romain as we taste through three more wines, discuss climate change, and touch on life at Les Vins Georges Dubœuf since Monsieur Dubœuf passed away last year.