Domaine Gregoire Hoppenot Fleurie Indigene 2021  £24.74

Domaine Gregoire Hoppenot Fleurie Indigene 2021

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.

Spring frosts across Beaujolais in 2021 meant that yields were significantly reduced. Beautiful weather conditions in August, however, allowed the grapes to reach excellent levels of ripeness while still maintaining their fresh aromas. The harvest in late September, with the resulting wines noticeable for their freshness and finesse.

Upon arrival at the winery, the hand-harvested grapes underwent a 10-day maceration as whole bunches in 60-hectolitre concrete vats. Fermentation took place with natural yeasts at controlled temperatures below 30°C, with pump-overs performed daily to achieve gentle extraction. After pressing, temperatures were kept below 20°C to preserve the pure, fresh fruit characters. It spent seven months ageing in concrete vats before bottling.

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.