2020 Les Bertrand Fleurie Vieilles Vignes Coup de Foudre

WINEMAKER: Yann Bertrand
REGION: Beaujolais, FR
VARIETAL: Gamay
VITICULTURE: Organic

A 2 hectare plot of 50 to 70 year old vines on fine arenas granitic soils. A quarter was elevaged in concrete, the remainder in 225 litre barrels of 7+ years and demi-muids for 10 months, with an additional 11 months aging in bottle prior to release. 2020 sees a shorter maceration comparative to the 2019.

A shy nose initially which quickly moves to pretty reds and blues. Structured, there is feathery tannins when first opened yet they have freshness, are salivating. More tightly wound than Chaos. Precision, with a lift of minerality and acidity at the back. Delicate spice, a twist of blood orange, long lithe tannins. So interesting to watch this open and evolve. It develops layers of finesse with air. Lithe yet power. (Notes from barrel March 2022 - freshness here, perfect acidity, complexity yet finesse, lingering.)

Established in the 1950’s by Louis Bertrand, Les Bertrand is located in a special part of Beaujolais called ‘Grand-pré’. A section that straddles the crus of both Fleurie and Morgon, rich in sandy granitic soil. The estate wines from these appellations are uniquely different even though all the vines are in the same area. The complexity found in the vineyard is demonstrated through these different cuvees. Since 2016 Yann has been working with Pascal Guignet, a grower in Julienas for cuvee Julienas...100%, the only non estate wine in this release. The fruit is manually harvested and sorted. In the cellar vinification is cold carbonic and semi carbonic maceration at 10-12 degrees with natural yeasts in large concrete vats. Bottling is done in Spring according to the moon, all wines are un-fined and unfiltered.