Domaine Metrat Chiroubles Constance 2022 (stelvin)

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

From vines aged more than 60 years old facing full south on sandy granitic soil. This vineyard is located higher on the slope than the Fleurie holdings of Metrat and vinification is made all in cement tanks with indigenous yeasts. Rich cherry and red fruit aromas with a touch of aniseed and exotic spices. Fresh full and deep palate backed by fine silky tannins. Showing beautifully already, this cuvee always displays excellent freshness with bright balanced acidity as a result of its higher cooler vineyard site.

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.