Les Bertrand Fleurie Cuvee du Chaos, Beaujolais, France

Les Bertrand’s 2021 Fleurie Cuvée du Chaos is a singular expression of old-vine Gamay from the Grand Pré lieu-dit, where vines reaching over a century in age yield a wine that is as intellectually compelling as it is emotionally resonant. This biodynamically farmed tête de cuvée showcases Fleurie’s delicate power through Yann Bertrand’s low-intervention, deeply intuitive approach.

Product Details:

• Grape Variety: 100% Gamay
• Alcohol: 11.5% ABV
• Farming: Certified organic and practicing biodynamic
• Vine Age: 60–100+ years
• Soil: Classic granite of the Grand Pré
• Vinification: Whole cluster, carbonic maceration (cold soak overnight), fermented with native yeasts
• Additions: No added yeast or sulfur (SO₂-free)
• Aging: 7–9 months in 225L neutral oak barrels (minimum 10 years old)
• Production Style: Unfiltered, unfined, naturally expressive
• Winemaker & Owner: Yann Bertrand

Sensory Description:

This vintage opens with ethereal aromas of violets, wild herbs, and tarragon, underpinned by blue-toned fruits like plum skin and elderberry. The palate is light in body yet layered, offering flavors of anise, fresh raspberry, and crushed slate, with vibrant acidity and a fine mineral thread. Its restrained structure and silken texture give way to a hauntingly pure finish, chiseled, lifted, and endlessly drinkable.

Winemaker's Background:

Yann Bertrand is part of a new generation of Beaujolais winemakers redefining the region with rigor, sensitivity, and reverence for the land. Mentored by Jacques Néauport, the right hand of legendary natural winemaker Jules Chauvet, Yann channels this legacy into his family estate in Fleurie, where he works alongside his parents, Guy and Annick. His philosophy is rooted in patient biodynamic farming, minimal intervention, and a relentless pursuit of authenticity. “Le temps ne respecte pas ce qui se fait sans lui”, time does not respect what is done without it, guides both his winemaking and his vision.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve slightly chilled at 12–14°C. This delicate yet nuanced Gamay pairs beautifully with mushroom risotto, grilled duck breast, herb-roasted poultry, or earthy vegetarian dishes. It’s equally rewarding on its own, savored slowly.

A rare example of a tête de cuvée that favors finesse over opulence, the 2021 Cuvée du Chaos is a masterclass in restraint, purity, and place. Yann Bertrand’s biodynamic devotion and uncompromising cellar practices yield a wine that is not only expressive of Fleurie’s terroir but emotionally resonant, a bottle for reflection and celebration alike.