Domaine Manoir du Carra
Beaujolais

The Estate
Domaine Manoir du Carra is located in the small town of Denice, 5 km from Villefranche-sur-Saone, 45 km south of Mâcon and 40 km north of Lyon. The property dates back to 1850, and has been bequeathed from father to son for five generations. It is now owned by Jean-Noël Sambardier and his wife. Like many Beaujolais producers, part of their wine is sold to négociant, to which they sell at least 25% of their production each year.

Frederic Sambardier

Fran Kysela and Frederic Sambardier for a truffle tasting, January 2007

The Vineyard
30 hectares (74.10 acres) total, divided along the North-South axis between Beaujolais A.O.C (10 ha= 24.70 acres) and Beaujolais-Villages A.O.C. (20 ha=49.40 acres). The Sambardiers own 50 vineyard plots. The vines are 50-100 years old. Yields are 55 hl/ha.

The harvest

The Wines

shelf talker

#F1EE20117
UPC code: 7 84585 00820 9
2005 Manoir du Carra, Beaujolais-Villages Blanc 12/750ml
The Chardonnay grapes are planted on a stone, chalk and clay based slope that enjoys a perfect southern sun exposure. The grapes are hand-picked when fully mature and are vinified to enhance the fresh fruit character of the wine. The wine is aged in 30% oak barrels and 70% stainless steel tanks for 3-5 months.
Superb yellow golden color. A beautiful bouquet of floral and fruity aromas. Citrus and peach flavors intertwined with notes of vanilla on the finish. This is a perfect wine to sip as an aperitif or to enjoy with fish and white meat.

National Retail: $17.95 / bottle

shelf talker

#F0EE201010GYM
UPC code: 7 84585 000108 8
2010 Manoir du Carra, Beaujolais-Villages, Unfiltered 12/750ml
This 100% Gamay wine is produced from a selection of old vines (70 to 100 years old). Yield: 40-45 hl/ha
Manual harvest; selection of the best grapes using a sorting table; semi-carbonic maceration for 10-12 days.
Vendange manuelle exclusivement, sélection des meilleurs grappes sur une table de tri vibrante puis encuvage pour une macération dite semi-carbonique, de 10 à 12 jours.
Aged in large oak barrels (foudres) for 3-4 months. No filtration. Egg white fining.
Ruby red color, black berry and cherry aromas. Ample in the mouth, very elegant and long lingering finish.

#F0EE201009GYM
UPC code: 7 84585 000108 8
2009 Manoir du Carra, Beaujolais-Villages, Unfiltered 12/750ml
This 100% Gamay wine is produced from a selection of old vines (70 to 100 years old). Yield: 40-45 hl/ha
Manual harvest; selection of the best grapes using a sorting table; semi-carbonic maceration for 10-12 days.
Vendange manuelle exclusivement, sélection des meilleurs grappes sur une table de tri vibrante puis encuvage pour une macération dite semi-carbonique, de 10 à 12 jours.
Aged in large oak barrels (foudres) for 3-4 months. No filtration. Egg white fining.
Ruby red color, black berry and cherry aromas. Ample in the mouth, very elegant and long lingering finish.


National Retail: $14.99 / bottle

#F0EE201012GYS
UPC code: 7 84585 00108 8
2011 Manoir du Carra, Beaujolais Nouveau 12/750ml
Just barely three weeks old, this fresh fruity red from the granite hills of Beaujolais comes entirely from Gamay grapes. Beaujolais Nouveau day is November 19th this year and is a celebration of harvest and a festive event. This bistro style wine should be consumed in copious quantities in the first full year of its life.

UPC code: 7 84585 00106 4
2010 Manoir du Carra, Beaujolais Nouveau 12/750ml
Just barely three weeks old, this fresh fruity red from the granite hills of Beaujolais comes entirely from Gamay grapes. Beaujolais Nouveau day is November 19th this year and is a celebration of harvest and a festive event. This bistro style wine should be consumed in copious quantities in the first full year of its life.

National Retail: $13.99 / bottle

#F0EE201013GYS
UPC code: 7 84585 00308 2
2011  Manoir du Carra, Beaujolais Villages Nouveau 12/750ml
Redolent of strawberries and roses, fragrant and medium bodied.  Refreshing, tart finish. 

UPC code: 7 84585 00308 2
2010  Manoir du Carra, Beaujolais Villages Nouveau 12/750ml
Redolent of strawberries and roses, fragrant and medium bodied.  Refreshing, tart finish. 

2009  Manoir du Carra, Beaujolais Villages Nouveau 12/750ml
GOLD MEDAL - Trophée Lyon-Beaujolais Nouveau 2008 (the only official competition devoted to Beaujolais Nouveau)

National Retail: $16.99 / bottle

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UPC code: 7 84585 00805 6
2009 Manoir du Carra, Juliénas, Cru Beaujolais 12/750ml
The 2005 vintage was the Sambardier family's first release of the Juliénas, the oldest Cru of Beaujolais, that was named for the famous Roman Emperor Julius Caesar.
The vineyards are located in the lieu-dit "En bottiere" on granite and schist soil types.
Young and dynamic winemaker Frederic Sambardier only produces 4,800 bottles or 400 cases (12/750ml) from 0.8 hectare (1.97 acre). The vines average over 50 years old.  Skin maceration during fermentation for 10-12 days. Finally, the wine has had 4 months of aging in foudre (large barrel). Egg white fined, the wine is bottled unfiltered.
Imported - 150 cases 6/750 ml
Tasting notes: Beautiful ruby red color. Pleasing and graceful, this full-bodied Juliénas displays spices and ripe red and black fruit aromas (red currant, blackberry). This well balanced wine shows soft tannins and a long lasting finish. Excellent now, it will show even better after a few years of cellaring.
This is a perfect match with game, poultries, white meats and cheeses or even by itself as an aperitif.

2007 Manoir du Carra, Juliénas, Cru Beaujolais 12/750ml
"A rich Burgundy color. It has a refreshing bouquet and a yummy flavor — full, fruity, and tangy, with a hint of pepper. We enjoyed the Juliénas with a rustic mushroom risotto recently. The distinctive Gamay flavor resonated nicely with the risotto’s dark, woodsy elements."
- Robert Calvert, InMichiana, November 2009

2006 Manoir du Carra, Juliénas, Cru Beaujolais 6/750ml
"Deep vivid red color. Energetic raspberry and blackberry aromas are complicated by dried violet and smoky minerals. Fleshy red berry and blackcurrant flavors are youthfully taut, with tangy minerality adding vivacity. Medium-bodied, fresh and youthfully bitter, with good finishing grip and energy.
- Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (July/Aug 08), 90 pts


National Retail: $19.99 / bottle

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UPC: 7 84585 00910 7
2009 Manoir du Carra, Moulin à Vent, Cru Beaujolais 12/750ml
The vineyards are located in the lieu-dit "Les Burdelines" on manganese granite soil with Eastern sun exposure. The wine is produced from 50 year old vines. Aged 50% in foudre (large barrels) for 3-4 months, 50 % in concrete tanks.
Beautiful deep ruby color. The bouquet displays aromas of rose, iris, spice and ripe fruit. The wine has a good structure and a good aging potential of 5-10 years.
Enjoy with game, red meat and strong cheeses.

2008 Manoir du Carra, Moulin à Vent, Cru Beaujolais 12/750ml
#F0EE201004GYL
UPC: 7 84585 00910 7
The vineyards are located in the lieu-dit "Les Burdelines" on manganese granite soil with Eastern sun exposure. The wine is produced from 50 year old vines. Aged 50% in foudre (large barrels) for 3-4 months, 50 % in concrete tanks.
Beautiful deep ruby color. The bouquet displays aromas of rose, iris, spice and ripe fruit. The wine has a good structure and a good aging potential of 5-10 years.
Enjoy with game, red meat and strong cheeses.

2007 Manoir du Carra, Moulin à Vent, Cru Beaujolais 12/750ml
"Bright ruby. Exotically perfumed bouquet of black raspberry, rose and apricot, with a hint of white pepper adding vivacity. Juicy and precise, offering lively red and dark berry flavors and showing no rough edges. Nicely balanced wine with strong finishing sweetness and a lingering note of pit fruits."
- Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Nov. 09), 89 pts

2006 Manoir du Carra, Moulin à Vent, Cru Beaujolais 12/750ml
"Saturated red. Fresh cherry, anise, floral and mineral aromas offer impressive clarityand penetration. Deep bitter cherry and cassis flavors are brightened by zesty minerality and framed by dusty tannins. Tangy berry skin dominates the lively finish, which is impressively focused and long."
- Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (July/Aug 08), 90 pts


National Retail: $22.95 / bottle

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UPC: 7 84585 01163 6
2009 Manoir du Carra, Fleurie, Cru Beaujolais 12/750ml
The Fleurie AOC is located in the North of the village of Fleurie, between Moulin a Vent and Chiroubles. The AOC spreads over 890 hectares of vines in only one village. There stands a madonna statue, that was built in 1875 to thank the Virgin Mary for protecting the vineyard.
The soil is quite homogenous, made of granitic sand - a pink stone very specific to the Fleurie area.
Made from 100% Gamay grapes coming from the lieu dit "Montee de la Tonne".
The vineyard measures 1.5 hectare and the average age of the vines is 50 years. Yield: 48 hl/ha
Manual harvest; Semi-carbonic maceration for 10-12 days; Aging in Foudre for 3-4 months; Slight filtration.
Intense red color, subtle fruity and floral aromas of violet, berry and cinnamon. Ample in the mouth, fruit flavors.
Even better after a few years of cellaring.
Excellent with red and game meats, and cheeses.

"Bright purple.  Intensely floral, perfumed bouquet of blackberry, musky herbs, anise and underbrush.  Sappy and sweet, offering juicy red berry and bitter cherry flavors and firm mineral spine.  Finishes clean and racy, with very good focus and a persistent floral quality."
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Feb 11), 90 pts

"Strawberry jelly aromas are followed by a more stern, mineral wine. The tannins are fine, with an underlying sweet berry fruit. But it does need time, with a density of texture that needs to round out. But worth waiting for."
- Wine Enthusiast, 89 pts

"Lovely, elegant, red cherry aroma and hint of violet. Perfumed palate with good fruit purity; chewy, soft structure, very elegant and promising. Now-2015."
- Decanter (Aug. 2010), 4 stars


National Retail: $25.00 / bottle