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

#F0EE201018GYM
UPC code: 7 84585 000108 8
2006 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). 
Aged in large oak barrels (foudres) for 3-4 months. No filtration. Egg white fining.
Beautiful purple-rimmed, dark cherry juice color. Explosive nose of intense Gamay fruit, a rich flavorful taste and a clean finish.

"Bright red. Zesty redcurrant and cherry on the nose. Brisk red- and blackcurrant flavors are deepened by anise and bitter chocolate, with a kick of cracked pepper lifting the back end. A racy, clean, textbook Beaujolais, offering energetic berry flavors and good finishing sweetness. This is embarrassingly easy to drink."
- Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (July/Aug 08), 88 pts

National Retail: $15.99 / bottle

#F0EE201029GYS
UPC code: 7 84585 00106 4
2008 Manoir du Carra, Beaujolais Nouveau 12/750ml
Very aromatic and very consistent in quality for the last 10 years. 

National Retail: $15.99 / bottle

#F0EE201030GYS
UPC code: 7 84585 00308 2
2008  Manoir du Carra, Beaujolais Villages Nouveau 12/750ml
Redolent of strawberries and roses, fragrant and medium bodied.  Refreshing, tart finish. 

GOLD MEDAL - Trophée Lyon-Beaujolais Nouveau 2008 (the only official competition devoted to Beaujolais Nouveau)

National Retail: $16.99 / bottle

2007 Manoir du Carra, Juliénas, Cru Beaujolais 12/750ml
#F0EE201028GYM
UPC code: 7 84585 00805 6
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.


#F0EE201020GYM
UPC code: 7 84585 00805 6
2006 Manoir du Carra, Juliénas, Cru Beaujolais 6/750ml
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.


National Retail: $25.95 / bottle

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

2007 Manoir du Carra, Moulin à Vent, Cru Beaujolais 6/750ml
#F0EE201027GYL
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.

#F0EE201021GYL
UPC: 7 84585 00910 7
2006 Manoir du Carra, Moulin à Vent, Cru Beaujolais 6/750ml
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.

National Retail: $25.95 / bottle

2006 Manoir du Carra, Moulin à Vent, Cru Beaujolais 6/750ml

"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

Deep,