Domaine Grégoire Hoppenot, Fleurie `Clos de l'Amandier`
Vintage: 2023
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | GH101B23 | 6 x 75 | Natural Cork | Available |
Producer
Grégoire Hoppenot was previously director of the Chapoutier family's Beaujolais project, Maison Trénel, before founding his eponymous domaine in Fleurie. Here, he leases nine hectares of vines and a small plot in Morgon and has been described as “one of Beaujolais’ most exciting emerging talents” by William Kelley (The Wine Advocate).
His vineyards, currently undergoing organic certification, comprise several enviable parcels in Fleurie, including ‘La Roulette’ and ‘Clos l’Amandier’, all of which are part of the Fleurie 1er Cru classification, which is currently pending approval. The soils here are composed predominantly of granite and sand, giving the wines a beautiful freshness and precision. Grégoire’s approach is meticulous and gentle in both the vineyard and cellar, where he ferments with indigenous yeasts and uses minimal sulphur. He describes his winemaking as ‘intuitive’, and in 2021, he was named ‘Discovery of the Year’ in 2021’s Revue des Vins de France.
For the 2022 vintage, Grégoire’s Fleurie ‘Indigène’ has been sourced from a parcel in the ‘La Roilette’ lieu-dit, which is currently in its final year of organic conversion. The grapes are whole-bunch fermented in concrete vats before ageing for seven months in the same vessels. The resulting wine displays a vivid brightness, with abundant raspberry and cherry fruit. The organic-certified Fleurie `Clos de l’Amandier` is Grégoire’s flagship wine, hailing from soon-to-be 1er Cru vines planted on a steep, southwest-facing slope at the southeastern end of ‘Poncié’. The soils here combine granite, sand and shallow, stony clay. The grapes undergo a fifteen-day fermentation using whole bunches in concrete vats. The wine then spends eight months in a combination of concrete and third-use Burgundy barrels. The final wine is classically Fleurie in style, displaying beautifully perfumed and balanced fruit with generous depth underpinned by fine tannins and a striking backbone of acidity.
Vineyards
The `Clos de l’Amandier` is a remarkable single vineyard at the south-eastern end of Poncié in Fleurie, earmarked for 1er Cru status in the current classification pending approval. This magnificent plot is situated between 280-395 metres above sea level with steep south and south-west facing slopes. The soils are a mixture of granite, sand and shallow, stony clay. The Gamay vines are 15 to 30 years old, with 50% of the plot gobelet trained and the remaining cordon. The depth of the soil and the deep roots of the vines enable them to cope in the summer heat and avoid hydric stress. The vineyard is farmed sustainably and certified organic.
Vintage
The 2023 growing season delivered an exemplary summer in Fleurie, allowing optimal ripeness development and balance, though smaller yields. Harvest commenced August 28th with grapes showing excellent maturity and well-balanced structure.
Vinification
Upon arrival to the winery, the hand-harvested Gamay underwent a 10-day maceration as whole bunches in 40-hectolitre concrete vats. Fermentation took place with indigenous yeasts at controlled temperatures below 25°C, with pump overs performed daily to achieve a gentle extraction. Following fermentation, the wine spent eight months ageing in concrete tanks before being bottled.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Classically Fleurie in style, the `Clos de l’Amandier` displays a perfumed nose of violet and strawberry compote. On the palate, the fruit has generous depth, underpinned by fine tannins and a striking backbone of acidity.
Alcohol (ABV)
12.5%
Acidity
5.14 g/l
pH
3.73
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domaine Grégoire Hoppenot | Fleurie `Indigène` | GH102 | R | Factsheet |