Pierre-Marie Chermette Beaujolais 'Fleurie Poncie' 2019

“His crus would be quite at home at a three-star restaurant” Jacqueline Friedrich - The Wines of France

“From his base in southern Beaujolais, Pierre Chermette has become one of the beacons of Beaujolais quality…” David Schildknecht - Wine Advocate

“Few Beaujolais growers are in a position to pronounce on the region’s different terroirs with the authority of the affable Pierre Chermette...” Andrew Jefford - The New France

Owners Pierre-Marie and Martine Chermette were among the first in Beaujolais to use sustainable agricultural practices, shunning the use of any chemicals in the vineyard and encouraging as much life in the soil as possible. They prune hard to keep yields low, harvest by hand when the grapes are fully ripe and regularly carry out ‘green harvests’ to further reduce the yields and ensure full ripeness for the harvest. The wines are made with minimal intervention: wild yeasts, minimal sulphur additions and no filtering if possible. Ageing is in traditional up-to-the-ceiling, neutral oak casks.

Poncié is one of a handful of celebrated highland terroirs along the ridge high above the village (Roche Guillon is another). Chermette's Poncié cuvée--drawn from a beautiful 4.5-hectare site of 45-year-old vines on pink granite soils--delivers the Domaine's most seductive and graceful Cru bottling, especially when young. In 2019 this southeasterly-facing site has delivered soaring, aromatic and seductive Gamay with the classic Fleurie iris/violet floral scents, along with waves of sappy black raspberry and ripe peach skin notes. The finish is punchy and energetic and while you still get the freshness, there's also depth and length.

"Aromas of cherries, raspberries, spices and rose hips introduce the 2019 Fleurie Poncié, a medium to full-bodied, pretty and fine-boned wine that's elegant and precise, built around lively acids and powdery tannins. It's a particularly bright, vibrant Fleurie from Chermette." 93 points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

Organic Principles