Domaine Jean Foillard Fleurie 2023

Winemaking

Jean Foillard is one of Beaujolais's most respected natural winemakers, known for his commitment to minimal intervention and expressive, terroir-driven Gamay. His philosophy centers on organic farming and spontaneous fermentation, allowing the vineyard's character to speak with clarity and honesty in the glass.

Tasting Notes

This elegant Fleurie opens with bright red cherry and violet aromatics, complemented by subtle floral notes that draw you in. On the palate, the wine is silky and refined, with fine-grained tannins that feel almost delicate, revealing flavors of red berries and a thread of minerality that adds complexity without weight. The finish is persistent and graceful, embodying the refined expression Fleurie is known for at its best.

Producer

Domaine Jean Foillard is a small, family-operated estate in Fleurie that has become a benchmark for natural winemaking in Beaujolais. The domaine practices organic viticulture and employs traditional, low-intervention techniques in the cellar, resulting in wines of remarkable purity and individual character that reflect the vintage and vineyard with uncommon honesty.

Terroir

Fleurie sits in the heart of the Beaujolais crus, a region of gentle rolling hills in southern Burgundy known for producing some of the world's finest Gamay. The vineyard soils here are composed of granite, porphyry, and clay, combined with a continental climate tempered by altitude, creating conditions that allow Gamay to achieve both ripe fruit and elegant structure.

Food Pairings

This wine pairs beautifully with lighter preparations that let its fragrant character shine—try it alongside a warm salad of roasted beets and goat cheese, or with sautéed chicken thighs with fresh thyme. It's also lovely with charcuterie and aged Comté, or as an aperitif on its own.