Domaine des Fonds Fleurie 2021

Description

Beaujolais wines, made 100% from the Gamay grape, are the quintessential fruity wines but memories of characterless, peardrop-scented Beaujolais Nouveau mean that the name “Beaujolais” often sends a shudder down the spine.  But it is possible to find superb wines in the Beaujolais region especially in the higher classified wines of the crus Beaujolais – and because they are no longer particularly fashionable, the wines are often good value.  Fleurie is one of the 10 crus (cru here meaning a wine producing area rather than a single vineyard) and is noted for its more ‘feminine’ style, lighter body and floral aromas.

The Berrod family produces wine with minimal intervention and have gained HVE certification, confirming their sustainable approach, and are working most of their 17 hectare estate organically. They use concrete tanks for maceration and stainless steel for ageing which help preserve the fruity characteristic of the wine. Fleurie is a lighter style of Gamay but lighter in body not in complexity. Fruity characteristics dominate with lots of red fruit flavours & aromas like redcurrants, strawberries & red cherries and rose petal notes. Savoury notes are starting to develop but a swirl of the glass makes the fruit aromas come forward again. In brief this makes a great summer red wine but its elegance makes it a choice for any time of year.