Franck Besson Le Griottier 2022
Category | Red Wine |
Varietal | |
Brand | Franck Besson |
Origin | France, Beaujolais, Juliénas |
Franck Besson is a unique producer in Beaujolais: a specialist in traditional-method sparkling wine production. He inherited four hectares of high elevation vineyards from his father-in-law, just outside the Cru Juliénas, by the village of Jullié, which he decided to use to make sparkling wine from 100% Gamay grapes. All vines are farmed organically and hand-harvested, while in the cellar all Franck's sparkling wines are aged from 6 months to 3 years on the lees.
Although, Franck does make exceptional still wines from his Cru vineyards in Julienas. Le Griottier is made from two parcels of organically farmed 50-year-old Gamay vines on granite soils in Le Côteau des Chanoriers. All fruit is hand harvested, fermented by carbonic maceration with native yeasts and no sulfur additions. The wine is aged for 9 to 12 months on the lees in stainless steel vats. The result is a Juliénas of startling purity and fruit concentration; vibrant and soft with loads of refreshment and a long, juicy finish. An excellent picnic wine.