Les Bertrand Fleurie 'Phenix', Beaujolais, France

High above the village of Fleurie, where granite glints beneath old Gamay vines, the 2023 Les Bertrand Fleurie ‘Phénix’ takes flight, elegant yet grounded, vivid yet serene. Born from steep slopes in the La Madone cru, this cuvée channels the spirit of its terrain: bright, tactile, and full of life. It’s a wine that feels both timeless and immediate, a living expression of the Bertrand family’s devotion to natural viticulture and the soulful finesse of Beaujolais.

Product Details:

• Winemakers: Annick, Guy & Yann Bertrand
• Owner: Bertrand Family
• Cuvée: ‘Phénix’
• Variety: 100% Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc
• Vine Age: 40–60 years
• Terroir: Upper granite slopes in the La Madone area
• Soil: Granite bedrock, shallow soils
• Farming: Certified organic since 2008, biodynamic since 2012 (Goblet-pruned vines)
• Harvest: Manual harvest with strict sorting in the vineyard
• Vinification: Cold carbonic maceration for 18–22 days (no yeast or SO₂ added)
• Aging: 90% in 500-L demi-muids and 10% in 350-L barrels for 7 months (on fine lees, unfiltered, racked by lunar cycle)
• ABV: 12.5%
• Production Area: 0.7 hectare

Sensory Description:

Graceful yet profound, ‘Phénix’ opens with aromas of violet, crushed granite, and wild berry bramble. On the palate, supple tannins and a silky texture frame layers of blueberry, blackberry, and wild raspberry that glide effortlessly through to a long, mineral-charged finish. The wine’s purity and balance showcase Fleurie’s signature elegance, a harmony of fruit, freshness, and stony tension that deepens with every sip.

Winemaker's Background:

The Bertrand story began in the 1950s with Louis Bertrand in Charentay, who laid the foundations for what would become a family legacy in Beaujolais. His son Guy and daughter-in-law Renée revived the historic Château de Grand Pré estate in Fleurie in the 1970s, championing organic viticulture long before it was fashionable. Today, Yann Bertrand leads the third generation, crafting natural and biodynamic wines that capture the soul of the land. Mentored by iconic figures like Jean Foillard and Yvon Metras, Yann translates tradition into motion, bottling Beaujolais that feels alive, vibrant, and authentic.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve slightly cool at 16 °C after a gentle decant to let the wine breathe. ‘Phénix’ pairs beautifully with charcuterie and tapas, roast pork with herbs, grilled salmon, duck breast, or semi-aged cheeses like Comté and Tomme de Savoie. Its fine acidity and silky fruit also make it a refined choice for autumn vegetable dishes and mushroom risotto.

The 2023 Les Bertrand Fleurie ‘Phénix’ embodies the essence of modern Beaujolais, pure, eloquent, and alive with emotion. It honors its heritage while soaring forward, a wine reborn with every vintage.