HISTORY OF DOMAINE: Bernard Dalicieux purchased his domaine in the town of Leynes in 1976 vinifying his first wines in that vintage. As a recent convert to viticulture, he has clearly not been a member of the establishment and has preferred to go his own way. As such, he has returned to the old tradition of Beaujolais which requires classic Burgundian vinification and reduced yields.

COMPOSITION OF DOMAINE: Dalicieux's vineyards are in the commune of "Lavernette" in the village of Leynes, located in the northernmost reaches of the Beaujolais Villages district. In fact, the vineyard backs up onto the hills of Fuisse. This location, including steeply terraced hillsides, imparts a character to the red wines reminiscent of the great cru of Moulin A Vent. A special parcel of old vines, the "Clos de la Jacarde", is always harvested, vinified and bottled separately. Dalicieux has recently purchased vineyards within the Moulin A Vent appellation with the first wine from that site bottled in 1995. In addition to the vineyards planted to Gamay, Dalicieux has Chardonnay vines in two separate appellations, the rare Beaujolais Blanc as well as Macon-Fuisse.

METHOD OF VINIFICATION: This is not a domaine that practices "carbonic maceration". All the reds are fermented traditionally with a long cuvaison for maximum extract. The Beaujolais Leynes is aged primarily in large oak "foudres" while the old vines cuvee, known as "La Jacarde", and the Moulin A Vent "Cuvee Janick" are influenced more by small barrel aging with a touch of new oak thrown in. Bottling takes place in late spring following the harvest for the "Leynes" while the "Jacarde" and Moulin A Vent spend several additional months in barrel. The reds are bottled without filtration and are particularly age worthy. The whites are vinified with strict temperature control and, to this point, do not undergo barrel-aging. These wines have a firm mineral backbone and are quite full bodied. Bernard Dalicieux's wines present excellent value.