Domaine Chignard Les Moriers Fleurie 2021

Domaine Chignard Les Moriers Fleurie 2021

Given the similarity in sound, it might seem cliché or contrived to describe reds from Fleurie as among the most floral of Beaujolais, but they truly are! This is one of Fleurie’s signatures, a main way its wines stand out from those of Beaujolais’s nine other crus. Chignard Les Moriers Fleurie cuvée is not just irresistibly floral, though.

Despite being light on its feet, it bears a soupçon of savory smoke as well as a spine of minerality and staying power more commonly associated with Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie’s neighbor.

That makes sense in this bottling, since the Moriers parcel—a historic lieu-dit that ranked as a first growth in an 1874 classification of the region’s vineyards—is directly next door to Moulin-à-Vent. A bottle of Beaujolais that bears mesmerizing finesse, depth, stamp of terroir, and also happens to stand tall as one of the region’s great values? Put me down for a case!

Blend: Gamay

Appellation: Fleurie

Country: France

Region: Beaujolais

Winemaker: Michel & Cédric Chignard

Vineyard: 60 years, 8 ha

Soil: Granite

Aging: Aged in old foudres (large oak barrels) for 13 months

Alcohol: 12.5%

Reviews

James Suckling – “What a beautiful nose of ripe cherry and red beets this Fleurie has! I love the well crafted tannins and lightness of touch on the palate (no easy combination). Keeps pumping out the red fruit aromas at the long, nobly austere finish.” (92 Pts)