Beaujolais 2024 Yvon Metras

100% Gamay grapes, grown on the well-exposed slopes of Beaujolais: this is the secret behind the 2024 vintage of Yvon Métras red wine. The vines are generally old, with roots anchored in granite sand and weathered schist, and the grapes are harvested by hand when fully ripe.

In 2024, véraison (the period when the grapes change color) arrived in early August, later than in 2023, but still on the early side. Yields were low across the Beaujolais region, and the vintage itself is considered bright and well-balanced. This combination tends to further concentrate the flavor of the limited amount of fruit.

The winemaking process is kept to a minimum to preserve the grapes' natural flavors. Following traditional Beaujolais methods, the grapes undergo semi-carbonic maceration, including a significant proportion of whole clusters, and are then aged exclusively in tanks. Since no oak barrels are used at all, the flavors of red fruit and the freshness derived from granite are fully revealed without being masked by oak aromas.

Métras is harvested by hand in the vineyard without the use of any synthetic substances; this is a very demanding cultivation method that plays a major role in defining the wine's flavor profile.

The wine offers aromas of raspberries and crushed strawberries, with subtle floral notes often found in whole-cluster fermentation. It feels light on the palate; with an alcohol content of 11.5% and no oak aging, the fruit flavors are followed by a distinctive, crisp minerality characteristic of granite soil. Tannins are barely noticeable. The wine is driven more by fruit than structure, and the finish is crisp and clean. It's best served cool and enjoyed for pure pleasure rather than deep contemplation.

It is ready to drink now. Serve it at a cool temperature of around 14 degrees, rather than cold.