Domaine Metrat Moulin a Vent La Belle Coudriere 2023 (screw cap)

Variety: Gamay
Country Region: France, Burgundy, Beaujolais
Appellation: Chiroubles

From 60+ year old vines located just across the valley to the north of the winery not far from the famous windmill of Moulin a Vent. The vines here are east facing in granite soil and Moulin a Vent has a high presence of manganese which gives the wine its Moulin a Vent identity. This vineyard is slightly lower on the slope than his holding right in the centre of La Roilette (which sits adjacent to Moulin a Vent and which historically was considered part of Moulin a Vent), and close to the family winery less than 1km away. Always among the richest and deepest of wines with more structure and ageing capacity this cuvee is particularly successful in 2023 with the tannic structure of the wine well covered by the ripeness and fleshy generosity of the vintage. Ripe and intense in 2023 showing a hint berry liqueur overlaying a firm mineral core. The harvest is all by hand with selection and sorting in the vineyard and winery. Maceration is carried out on 100% whole bunch fermenting semi-carbonic with indigenous yeasts lasting between 15 and 20 days on skins. The grapes are pressed then settled with fermentation continuing for 8 to 10 days, at 18 degrees to trigger the malolactic process. Aging lasts 18 months: 50% in 5-year-old oak barrels and 50% in vats.
The color is deep saturated ruby. The nose expresses floral notes such as iris and violet as well as morello cherry and undergrowth. The palate offers soft tannins on gourmet aromas such as ripe black fruits like cherry, mushrooms, tobacco, and spices. They leave a long finish on licorice.

The Metrat family home and winery are to be found in the midst of the very highly regarded sector of Fleurie called “La Roilette”. La Roilette lies towards the bottom of the slope close to the border of Moulin a Vent and here the soil has a base of clay underneath the decomposed pink granite that is so typical of this area. This makes for wines that have a little more depth and structure than most other Fleuries.

The Fleuries from the Metrat family fall into this latter category and these wines are now showing very well with the old vines cuvee having a little more dimension and finesse than the traditional cuvee. The winemaking by the Metrat family is traditional with fermentation in cement and no artificial yeasts used, crop levels are kept low and hand harvested. The wines show great purity of fruit with ample perfume and silky texture. The extraction of tannins is gentle and although these wines are generally drunk young these wines from the Metrat family can confidently be enjoyed over 5 or 10 years if you can manage to keep your hands off them!

‘If only all Chiroubles could be as well crafted as Bernard Metrat's!’ Neal Martin.