MICHEL GUIGNIER 2019 FLEURIE

AOP FLEURIE

Facing Southeast to Northwest, the vines in the Fleurie appellation area are planted at between 220 and 430 meters above sea level. This Cru is the fruit of the Gamay grape (a black-skinned berry with white juice) that sends its roots down deep into granitic soils with big crystals. In the heights, the poor and acidic granitic soils are arid. Below the village centre, to the East the soils, enriched by rain-carried alluvium from above, become deeper and contain more clay.

FLEURIE LES AMETHYSTES

LOCATION / TERROIR

La Colline de Montgenas; South facing, light slopes, 300 meters above sea level.

4 hectares. The vines are planted at a high density.

VINEGROWING AND WINEMAKING TECHNIQUES

Vinegrowing:

The vines are 50 years old; they are pruned quite hard to limit the yield; all the bunches are picked by hand and then very carefully sorted to retain only the fully ripe whole bunches.

Work in the cellar

Vinification: Traditional. Vinification temperature: 22° C at the beginning of fermentation and 32° C at the end. On pressing, cooling to 22° C to retain as much aroma and flavour as possible.

Maceration: Semi-carbonic. Length: 10 days.

Maturing: In vats on the lees.

Assembly: No mixing of different terroirs.

Filtering: Over diatomaceous earth, no use of membrane, which removes the organic matter from the wine.

Bottling: On the estate.

TASTING

In its deep red robe, this is a heavily scented wine where aromas of red fruit rub shoulders with iris and violet. The fruit flavours are concentrated with structure and the tannins are silky on the palate.

Serving temperature: 15° C.

Cellaring: between 1 and 6 years. Alc. by Vol.: 12.5° C.

Serving suggestions: it makes a great partner to red meat and poultry.