Fleurie La Madone, Albert Bichot, 2023
Fleurie La Madone, Albert Bichot, 2023
- Red Still
- 75CL
- 13%
- Gamay
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Ruby-crimson with violet highlights, this Gamay from Beaujolais’s elegant Fleurie cru releases floral aromas of iris and carnation woven with wild strawberry, raspberry, and a whisper of nutmeg and wet stone. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and supple, featuring juicy red fruit kissed by minerality and framed by gentle acidity. The finish is long, fragrant, and harmonious.
Albert Bichot’s La Madone is sourced from the celebrated hillside vineyard beneath the Madonna chapel, rooted in pink granite and aplomb with terroir. Hand-harvested and gently vinified - carbonic-style fermentation in open vats followed by stainless steel aging - the result is a refined Gamay that balances freshness with depth. It’s charming and ideal with charcuterie, poultry, or soft cheeses.
It is drinking beautifully now, displaying primary fruit and floral characteristics at their peak. Over the next two years, the wine will develop subtle secondary complexity as the fruit integrates further with the mineral backbone. The granite-derived minerality will become more pronounced by 2028, adding earthy depth whilst maintaining the characteristic floral charm. Unlike the more structured Beaujolais crus, Fleurie is best enjoyed for its youthful elegance rather than aged extensively, though well-stored bottles will hold their charm until 2030.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceRuby-crimson with violet highlights, showing the youthful vibrancy typical of young Fleurie.
NoseImmediately floral with iris and carnation leading, followed by wild strawberry and raspberry. A whisper of nutmeg adds spice whilst wet stone minerality provides backbone. The aromatics are pure and lifted, showcasing Fleurie's renowned perfumed character.
PalateMedium-bodied and supple with juicy red fruit flavours kissed by granite minerality. The texture is silky yet structured, with gentle acidity providing freshness. The fruit remains pure and focused, supported by fine-grained tannins that never intrude.
FinishLong, fragrant, and harmonious with lingering floral and mineral elements.
Overall impressionA refined Gamay that perfectly captures Fleurie's elegant, floral style whilst offering genuine depth and complexity.
Food Pairings
In Beaujolais, Fleurie traditionally accompanies the region's excellent charcuterie, particularly rosette de Lyon and saucisson de Beaujolais served with crusty bread and cornichons. Locals pair it with coq au vin made with Gamay, where the wine's acidity cuts through the rich sauce whilst complementing the tender chicken. Pike quenelles from nearby Lyon work beautifully, the wine's minerality echoing the Saône's freshwater fish. During autumn, wild mushroom dishes from the surrounding forests find perfect harmony with Fleurie's earthy undertones. The wine also accompanies the region's soft goat cheeses, particularly crottin de Chavignol, where its floral character complements the cheese's mineral tang.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 14-16°C to allow the floral aromatics to fully express themselves whilst maintaining the wine's refreshing character. No decanting required as this youthful Fleurie is ready to drink immediately. Use large Burgundy glasses or universal wine glasses to concentrate the delicate perfumed aromatics. A brief chill of 30 minutes will enhance its freshness if serving on warmer days.
La Madone vineyard sits on the celebrated hillside beneath the Madonna chapel in Fleurie, planted on distinctive pink granite soils that define this cru's elegant character. The granitic base provides excellent drainage whilst retaining enough moisture for the vines during dry periods. These mineral-rich soils, combined with the vineyard's favourable southeastern exposure, produce Gamay with remarkable finesse and aromatic complexity. The granite imparts a distinctive mineral backbone that distinguishes Fleurie from other Beaujolais crus.
Fleurie is the most elegant and perfumed of the ten Beaujolais crus, earning its reputation as the 'Queen of Beaujolais' for its floral aromatics and silky texture. The appellation covers 860 hectares of granite slopes where Gamay achieves remarkable refinement, producing wines more delicate than neighbouring Moulin-à-Vent yet more structured than Chiroubles. Fleurie's granite soils and ideal exposition create wines that balance immediate charm with surprising ageability. The cru's name derives from the Roman centurion Florus, though its floral character has made the etymological connection with flowers irresistible.
The 2023 growing season in Beaujolais presented a series of challenges that tested vignerons' adaptability. Spring brought late frosts that affected some vineyards, particularly in the lower-lying areas, while summer delivered periods of intense heat punctuated by welcome rainfall. The Gamay vines showed their resilience, though careful canopy management became essential to protect the fruit during the hottest spells. Harvest timing proved crucial, with many producers picking earlier than usual to preserve the grape's characteristic freshness and avoid over-ripeness.
The resulting wines display classic Beaujolais charm with perhaps more concentration than initially expected. Gamay has delivered wines with bright red fruit character and good acidity, though alcohol levels tend to be slightly higher than the most elegant vintages. The Cru Beaujolais show particular promise, with wines from Morgon and Moulin-à-Vent displaying excellent structure for medium-term ageing. Most 2023 Beaujolais are drinking beautifully now, offering immediate pleasure, while the more serious Crus will reward cellaring for three to five years.
FAQs
How does this Fleurie compare to other Beaujolais crus?
Fleurie is the most elegant and floral of the ten crus, lighter than Moulin-à-Vent or Morgon but more structured than Chiroubles. Its granite soils produce wines with distinctive mineral backbone and perfumed aromatics that set it apart from the more robust neighbouring appellations.
Can this wine be aged?
While Fleurie can develop over 5-7 years, this style is best enjoyed for its youthful fruit and floral character. The 2023 vintage will drink beautifully until 2030, though peak enjoyment is likely within the next 3-4 years when the primary aromatics remain vibrant.
What makes La Madone vineyard special?
La Madone sits on Fleurie's most celebrated hillside beneath the Madonna chapel, planted on distinctive pink granite soils. The vineyard's southeastern exposure and mineral-rich granite base produce Gamay with exceptional finesse and aromatic complexity, representing Fleurie at its most refined.
Should I chill this wine?
Serve at 14-16°C, slightly warmer than most reds, to allow the delicate floral aromatics to express fully. A brief 30-minute chill will enhance freshness during warmer weather, but avoid over-chilling which would mute the wine's perfumed character.
What food should I avoid with Fleurie?
Avoid heavily spiced dishes or very rich, fatty foods that would overwhelm Fleurie's delicate character. Very strong cheeses or intensely flavoured game would mask the wine's subtle floral and mineral qualities. Keep pairings relatively light to showcase the wine's elegance.
How is this different from basic Beaujolais?
As a cru Beaujolais, this Fleurie comes from a specific hillside vineyard with superior granite soils, producing more complex and age-worthy wine than basic Beaujolais. The grapes are hand-harvested and vinified with greater care, resulting in deeper flavour concentration and distinctive terroir expression.
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