Terres Dorées Fleurie Beaujolais 2022

Country: France

Region: Beaujolais

Type: Red Wine

Grape: Gamay

Jean-Paul Brun started Terres Dorées in 1979 with just 4 hectares of vines in Charnay in the southern Beaujolais, an area which is slightly warmer and more limestone-driven than the more renowned granite-rich cru villages in the northern Beaujolais. Today, the Charnay estate is around 30 acres, but with an additional 15 hectares farmed in the crus.   Fleurie is one of Jean-Paul's two largest cru holdings, 6 hectares all within the famous lieu-dit of Grille Midi, a south-facing amphitheater of vines on poor, sandy, decomposed-granite soils over hard granite rock.

The farming here is organic, while the cru parcels are farmed sustainably. Harvest is by hand and of well-ripened but not over-ripened fruit, so alcohol levels are generally modest. Jean-Paul is not an adherent of “natural wine” per se, yet is among the most natural of Beaujolais vignerons, deeply committed to purity of expression of fruit and site. He carefully sorts and destems his grapes, uses native yeasts, adds no sulfur aside from a touch at bottling, and ages in a combination of concrete and old oak, varying with vintage and wine.

Aromas of red berries and subtle baking spices. On the palate, velvety texture with bright acidity, notes of raspberries and strawberries, and a classic, granite influenced minerality.