Sylvain Martel Julienas Bessay 2023 Beaujolais ORG

Sylvain Martel trained as a winemaker in the Southern Rhone and spent 10 years running a small organic estate in the Ardeche. It was thanks to the Graillots of Crozes-Hermitage that Sylvain came to Beaujolais, joining them in establishing and managing Domaine de Fa. In 2016, Sylvain met our very own Anne-Sophie Dubois and settled down in Fleurie. It is thanks to Anne-Sophie that we have come to know his wines. In 2018, Sylvain was ready to start his own venture and purchased a 1.3ha island of old Gamay vines on a dramatic steep slope at 450m altitude in the lieu-dit of Bessay in Julienas. A terroir of blue stones, the tree-lined vineyard is planted to a high density, cultivation is organic, and the yields are kept low. Fermentation is semi-carbonic using native yeasts and whole bunches after the teachings of Jules Chauvet, and the wine is allowed to age nine months in old barrels before being bottled without fining or filtration. The total production is a mere 3600 bottles. The flavour is classic, with stony freshness, fine, sandy tannins, and a lovely blueberry and sour cherry fruit profile that calls you back for just one more glass.