2023 Chiroubles La Scandaleuse, Domaine Metrat

Owned and run by Bernard Metrat and his father-in-law Michel Chevalier, Domaine Bernard Metrat is a small, traditional domaine of roughly 10 hectares of vines with small parcels spread across several communes in Beaujolais. Most of the vines are located in Fleurie’s renowned “La Roilette” lieu-dit- where the red granite soils, interspersed with layers of clay produce wines that are both mineral and full of charm. At an elevation of between 280 and 300 metres above sea level, east facing and aged sixty years, these perfectly situated vines produce Fleurie with a complex bouquet of violets and succulent red berry fruit with a hint of black pepper, a characteristic of the vineyard. Bernard is a member of Terra Vitis, a renowned environmental certification whose members adhere to environmentally friendly production methods with the focus on sustainable development. As such, the vines are hand harvested with the emphasis on organics from pruning to picking, treating or intervening only wherever necessary. The wines are fermented in the traditional way, using whole-bunches-without carbonic maceration, and ageing takes place in used wooden barrels and larger foudres for 6-9 months.