Fleurie La Madone, La Reine de l'Arenite

Tasting Note

Heady perfume of freshly picked irises and peonies. The fleshy luscious red berry fruit flavours are typically vivacious and are backed up with a touch of spice and good depth.

Producer Details

Boutinot France’s new offices are in the middle of vineyards of St Véran AC on the southern perimeter of the Mâconnais. Drive five minutes down the road and cross the border into the northern rim of the Beaujolais cru, St. Amour – the village in which Samantha Bailey, the winemaker responsible for Beaujolais & Mâconnais, got married – all the hilly Beaujolais crus lie to the south in front of you. Unsurprisingly after twenty years in the region, Samantha knows the Beaujolais and Mâconnais intimately and sources all Boutinot's Beaujolais crus directly from growers, selecting by blind tasting either single domaine or single vineyard wines. For Pouilly Fuissé Samantha is given free rein to select and blend unoaked component wines at Guy Saumaize’s Domaine des Maillettes. For the Mâconnais Samantha tastes all the cuvees in the cellars of local producer, Cave de Charnay-les-Mâcon, and is given equal free rein to select and blend Mâcon-Charnay for Cuvée à l’Ancienne as well as for both Domaine Les Perserons and St Véran Clos de Chevigne. All the wines Samantha blends remain unique to Boutinot and are not sold under other labels to other merchants

In The Vineyard

'Arenite' is the terroir of pinky, crumbly sandstone of the La Madone vineyards, rated as one of the best vineyards in Fleurie. Goblet trained vines on the east/south east facing vineyards lying are below the Chapel of the Madonna at the top of the hill. Gamay Noir vines range from 40 to 90 years of age.

In The Winery

Grapes are hand-picked and whole-berry fermented for 8-10 days (traditional maceration carbonique) followed by a further 2 or 3 days on the skin to assist with aromas. No use of cultured yeasts. Pressed after 8-10 day cuvaison. First press wine returned to the wine and left for 8 months before bottling.

Food Recommendations

In Winter match with roast leg of lamb; during the summer, chill and serve with roast or barbecue chicken or pork.

Awards & Press

2007 Vintage: Sommelier Wine Awards 2009 - Gold 2009 Vintage: "An exceptional Beaujolais from an exceptionally warm growing season. Unusually dark. Very meaty substantial wine that is well worth the price. No hurry to drink this, It could already deliver pleasure in a serious, concentrated sort of way but it will also continue to develop. Lovely polish and juiciness with a slightly mineral undertow. Proper wine that expresses the arenite soils of Fleurie, one of the prettiest of the cru villages in the blue Beaujolais hills. Lovely stuff." 17 points. Drink 2011- 16. Jancis Robinson, Purple Pages, February 2011 2008 Vintage: "...represents what Boutinot is all about. It's sourced and produced by the company from some of the best vineyards in Fleurie. Silky and perfumed with floral notes it's an affordable wine to make a grand entrance now that warmer weather is on the way." Andy Cronshaw, South Manchester Reporter, 11th March 2010 2007 Vintage: "Rich, creamy, plummy and uncomplicated. Youthful, but singled out for its fresh juiciness and great value for money. Plenty of chilled food-matching options, too. Every list needs a wine like this. Excellent stuff." Sommelier Wine Awards
2009, Judges Comments