{"title":"George Descombes","description":"\u003cp\u003eGeorges Descombes is sometimes called the unofficial fifth member of Beaujolais' legendary Gang of Four, the group of growers who reshaped the region around natural winemaking. As a teenager he worked the vines with his vigneron father and moved between local cellars; the first time he tasted Marcel Lapierre's wine he was so struck by its purity that he resolved to make wine the same way.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGeorges took over the family estate in 1988 and immediately began moving it forward, adopting organic viticulture and stripping additives and manipulation out of the cellar. He is based in the hamlet of Vermont, within Villie-Morgon in the heart of cru Beaujolais.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMore on how they farm and work in the cellar in our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/natural-wine-producers-primal-wine\/george-descombes\"\u003eGeorge Descombes producer profile\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"beaujolais-brouilly-george-descombes-natural-wine","title":"George Descombes Beaujolais Brouilly 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003eGeorges Descombes' Brouilly is 100% Gamay sourced from 3.5 hectares of organically farmed vines on hilly sites of decomposed granite soils surrounding Mont Brouilly. Descombes makes two Brouilly bottlings; this is the younger-vine cuvee, from vines ranging up to nearly 50 years old, plus some purchased Brouilly fruit. All vineyards are harvested by hand in whole clusters.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the cellar, Descombes uses whole-bunch, semi-carbonic maceration in large vats over roughly 30 days at cold temperatures with native yeasts and no added sulfur during fermentation. After fermentation, the wine is aged for approximately one year in a combination of inert vats and large wood foudres. A minuscule dose of sulfur is added at bottling, far below the legal limit for certified organic wine, followed by a light, non-sterile filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe result is a light-to-medium-bodied red with a pale ruby color, bright red fruit aromatics of cherry and raspberry, violet florals, and a mineral undercurrent that reflects the granite soils of Brouilly. Tannins are silky, acidity is lively, and the finish carries a subtle savory, peppery note. Descombes typically releases his wines later than peers to allow for extra bottle stabilization.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"George Descombes","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":37526152020167,"sku":"DESCBROU18C","price":33.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0019\/3363\/9735\/products\/descombes-brouilly-gamay-natural-wine-primal-wine.jpg?v=1780186724"},{"product_id":"beaujolais-morgon-george-descombes-natural-wine","title":"George Descombes Beaujolais Morgon 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003eGeorges Descombes' Morgon is 100% Gamay sourced from roughly 7.5 hectares of hilly parcels in the Morgon cru, centered on Villié-Morgon. The soils are predominantly decomposed granite and schist — the weathered, iron-rich geology locals call \"rotten rock\" — which gives Morgon its signature earthy depth and structure compared to lighter Beaujolais crus. Grapes are hand-harvested in whole clusters and fermented with native yeasts via semi-carbonic maceration in large cement, fiberglass, and stainless steel vats.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe wine is aged in a mix of vat and large wood foudres for approximately one year before bottling with a minimal addition of sulfur and a light, non-sterile filtration. Descombes holds the wine longer in élevage than most of his peers, a deliberate choice when working without heavy sulfur intervention. The 2019 vintage delivered lush, ripe fruit across Beaujolais, and in this wine that translates to a full, fruit-forward palate with silky tannins and sustained acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eExpect aromas of black cherry, violet, and red currant with hints of earth and kirsch. The palate is round and juicy with a savory undercurrent and a clean, mineral finish characteristic of Morgon's decomposed-schist terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"George Descombes","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40752773857479,"sku":"georgedescombes-morgon","price":33.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0019\/3363\/9735\/files\/george-descombes-morgon-beaujolais-natural-wine-primal-wine.jpg?v=1780185806"}],"url":"https:\/\/primalwine.com\/collections\/george-descombes.oembed","provider":"Primal Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}