2021 Domaine Denis Carre Les Tuvilains Beaune Premier Cru 750 ml

Unlike many land-rich Burgundian families, Denis Carré and his wife Bernadette started their winery with nothing. But these days, their wines stand with those of much richer neighbors—on discriminating New York wine lists like Aldo Sohm Wine Bar, Balthazar, and Manhatta. 

The Carrés’ 2021 Beaune Premier Cru Les Tuvilains has a perfume that practically pulled our Master Sommelier Sur Lucero into the glass: “This is such classic Beaune,” he said. “I don’t know how they kept this under $70.”

In 1975, Denis Carré spent his life savings to make a humble Passetoutgrains. Since then, year after year, he worked away in his garage winery at night, saving money and planning. Today, nearly 50 years later, he and his family own 13 hectares of vines across eight appellations. To prioritize the health of their vines and the environment, they employ careful hand-harvesting methods to select only the best grapes for their wines. In the cellar, they combine state-of-the-art technology with time-honored methods to create super-expressive, refined wines. Only ambient yeasts and minimal sulfur is used to make the wines. 

“Les Tuvilains” has one of the most colorful and morbid names of all Burgundian vineyards, sounding like something out of a Tarantino movie. Translating roughly to “The Kill-Villains,” it refers to a patch of land where, in medieval times, vigilantes would bring unfortunate peasants who double-crossed the local lord. Needless to say, the betrayers would not leave.

We love the subtle, earthy undertones of mushroom and forest floor, plus the touch of spice in this wine. The texture is so supple and silky, with a creaminess leading to juicy acidity—bring on the roast squab or the tea-smoked duck.