Fleurie, Jane Eyre, 2021
Fleurie, Jane Eyre, 2021
- 75cl
- 13%
- Red Still
- Gamay
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2030
We’re all so in awe of Jane’s Burgundies that her Beaujolais is often overlooked, and the Fleurie 2021 has opened up some of those lightly savoury and gamey notes that will wonderfully accompany barbecues, charcuterie and salads. Jane's deft touch and skill are on display here, with beautiful perfume and a strong sense of energy and vitality.
Whether crafting wines from the Côte-d'Or, Beaujolais, or her native Victoria, Jane's wines exude her distinct style—delicate and inviting, adorned with supple tannins and vibrant, luscious fruits. Through gentle extraction techniques, thoughtful oak usage, and early bottling, Jane creates wines that are accessible and appealing even in their early stages!
Currently showing beautifully with those savoury and gamey notes having emerged since bottling, making it ideal for drinking now. The primary cherry fruit will continue to integrate over the next couple of years, with the powdery tannins softening further. By 2028-2029, expect more developed earthy complexity while retaining that characteristic Fleurie perfume. The wine should hold its charm until the early 2030s, though it's built more for pleasure than extended cellaring.
What the critics say:
"Clear, bright, mid ruby. Ripe cherry and red soft fruits. Lovely depth, weight and volume on the palate. Really quite firm but a veil of powdery tannins. (MH)."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceClear, bright mid-ruby with excellent clarity and depth.
NoseRipe cherry and red soft fruits lead, followed by subtle floral notes typical of Fleurie. As it opens, gentle savoury and lightly gamey elements emerge, adding complexity to the pure fruit expression.
PalateLovely depth, weight, and volume that's quite firm for Beaujolais, yet softened by a veil of powdery tannins. The cherry fruit carries through with excellent concentration, supported by bright acidity and that characteristic granite minerality.
FinishClean and persistent with lingering red fruit and a subtle mineral edge.
Overall impressionA Fleurie that shows both immediate charm and the structure to reward a few more years in bottle.
Food Pairings
In Beaujolais, this would accompany the local charcuterie like rosette de Lyon or andouillette, served alongside a simple green salad with walnut oil dressing. The region's bouchons would pair it with coq au vin made with Beaujolais itself, or perhaps a plate of jambon persillé. Those emerging savoury notes make it perfect for grilled sausages or a rustic pâté de campagne, while the bright acidity cuts through the richness of Chaource or other local cheeses.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve lightly chilled at 14-16°C to emphasise the wine's freshness and floral character. No need to decant, though a few minutes in the glass will allow those savoury notes to emerge fully. Use a standard Burgundy glass or a medium-sized bowl to concentrate the delicate aromatics without overwhelming the wine's elegance.
Fleurie's vineyards sit on granite and schist soils that give the wines their characteristic perfume and elegance. The pink granite particularly influences the mineral backbone, while the elevation and exposure on the hillsides of this cru provide excellent drainage. These sandy, decomposed granite soils warm quickly but retain enough acidity to keep the wines fresh, creating Beaujolais's most floral and refined expression of Gamay.
Fleurie is the most perfumed and elegant of the ten Beaujolais crus, often called the 'Queen of Beaujolais' for its floral character. The appellation sits on granite soils that produce wines with more finesse than neighbouring Morgon or Moulin-à-Vent, yet with more structure than Chiroubles. Fleurie's 850 hectares produce wines that bridge the gap between Beaujolais's fruity charm and serious winemaking, making it the cru that most clearly shows Gamay's potential for both immediate pleasure and modest cellaring.
The 2021 vintage in Beaujolais arrived after a genuinely challenging growing season that kept vignerons on their toes from spring onwards. Early budbreak met with devastating frosts in April, followed by a cool, damp summer that had many producers worried about ripeness and disease pressure. September delivered salvation with warm, dry conditions that allowed the Gamay to ripen properly, though yields were significantly reduced across the region due to the earlier setbacks.
What emerged from this adversity were wines with lovely freshness and aromatic intensity – the cooler conditions preserved the bright red fruit character that makes Beaujolais so irresistible, whilst the lower yields concentrated flavours beautifully. The cru Beaujolais show particular promise, displaying more structure than the sometimes exuberant 2020s, with that classic combination of juicy fruit and mineral backbone. Most 2021s are drinking wonderfully now, offering immediate pleasure whilst the crus will reward patience over the next five to eight years.
FAQs
What does this Fleurie taste like?
Ripe cherry and red berries with emerging savoury and lightly gamey notes, supported by powdery tannins and lovely depth for Beaujolais.
When should I drink this wine?
It's drinking beautifully right now and will continue to develop gracefully until the early 2030s.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Perfect for barbecues, charcuterie boards, and salads, or try it with grilled sausages, coq au vin, or rustic pâtés.
Should I serve this wine chilled?
Yes, serve lightly chilled at 14-16°C to emphasise its freshness and floral character. No need to decant.
How does this compare to other Beaujolais crus?
Fleurie is the most perfumed and elegant cru, with more finesse than Morgon but more structure than Chiroubles, making it beautifully food-friendly.
Is this worth cellaring?
While built more for pleasure than long ageing, it will reward a few years in the cellar as the savoury complexity continues to develop.
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