Domaine Gregoire Hoppenot Fleurie Indigene
Named ‘Discovery of the Year’ in 2021’s Revue des Vins de France, Grégoire Hoppenot installed himself in Fleurie following two years as director of the Chapoutier-owned Maison Trénel in Beaujolais. Grégoire has leased nine hectares, along with a small plot in Morgon, which comprises several enviable parcels: Les Moriers, Les Garants, Poncié, La Roilette and Les Roches in Fleurie, and Corcelette in Morgon. Grégoire is meticulous and gentle in both vineyards and cellar. He describes his winemaking as ‘intuitive’, using indigenous yeasts and low sulphur, and practises organic farming in the vineyard.
Fleurie `Indigene` is a blend of young vines from two parcels, 'Les Roches' and 'Les Garants'. The vineyards are situated around 300 metres above sea level on south and east-facing slopes, trained in a double cordon system. The soil is very light and sandy over granite bedrock. Fleurie `Indigene` is the first of the Hoppenot wines to be organically certified.
The 2022 vintage in Beaujolais was characterised by hotter and drier conditions than usual. Disease pressure in the vineyards remained low throughout the growing season. Harvest began on August 23rd and was completed by August 30th. The resulting grapes had excellent levels of maturity.
Upon arrival to the winery, the hand-harvested grapes underwent a 10-day maceration as whole bunches in 60-hectolitre concrete vats. Fermentation took place with indigenous yeasts at controlled temperatures below 30°C, with pump overs performed daily to achieve a gentle extraction. After pressing, temperatures were kept below 20°C to preserve the pure, fresh fruit characters.
Ruby red in colour, `Indigène` displays elegant notes of raspberry, cherry and dried rose. It is well-structured on the palate with bright red fruit flavours, lifted acidity and polished tannins.
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