Fleurie 2020
Julien Sunier

QUICK FACTS:

• Hailing from the prestigious Beaujolais appellation of Fleurie.
• Crafted by the renowned Julien Sunier, a beacon of organic viticulture in Beaujolais.
• Blog post for further reading: THE BEAUJOLAIS VISIONARY: JULIEN SUNIER'S JOURNEY TO WINEMAKING STARDOM

TASTING PROFILE:

• Enticing aromas of violets, iris, wild strawberries, and raspberries; harmoniously balanced with refreshing minerality and delicate tannins.

IN THE VINEYARD:

• Location: Beaujolais, Fleurie.
• Size: 1.7 hectares, split over two steeply pitched parcels, one of which is named “Niagara”.
• Altitude: Almost 500m, making it one of the highest sites in the appellation.
• Vines: Planted in the early 1960s to a density of 10,000 vines per hectare on mother rock of pure pink granite. This rocky parcel poses a unique challenge to work with.
• Soil: Mother rock of pink granite with minimal topsoil, presenting a rugged, rocky terrain.
• Viticulture: Organically farmed, hand-harvested vines.

IN THE WINERY:

• Fermented using indigenous yeasts in concrete vats at cooler temperatures to preserve delicate fruity nuances.
• Slowly pressed over 24 hours with an antique vertical press sourced from the Côte D’Or.
• Aged up to 11 months in 3-9 year old Burgundy barrels, ensuring the wine's intrinsic fruity and granitic characteristics shine.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Drinking window: 2023 - 2037
• A shining example for those skeptical of natural wines; this Fleurie demonstrates that 'natural' doesn't mean 'unrefined.' It's an elegant testament that natural wines can be sophisticated, displaying both complexity and a touch of wildness without being rough around the edges.
• A versatile wine, perfect to pair with roasted poultry, charcuterie, light salads, and soft cheeses. Its nuanced flavours shine particularly well with duck and lamb dishes, showcasing the classic adaptability of Beaujolais.

PRESS HIGHLIGHTS:

• Vinous (Neal Martin on 2021 vintage): "Nicely chiseled, fresh and poised with a twist of sour cherry towards the finish. Excellent." 92 PTS