Yann Bertrand - 2024 Iron

Yann Bertrand’s philosophy is simple; attain the most beautiful balance possible for the soil, as a soil with good equilibrium will produce a grape that represents the terroir where it is grown. 

Les Bertrand is located in a special part of Beaujolais called ‘Grand-pré’. A section that straddles the crus of both Fleurie and Morgon, rich in sandy granitic soil. The estate wines from these appellations are uniquely different even though all the vines are in the same area. The complexity found in the vineyard is demonstrated through these different cuvees.

The fruit is manually harvested and sorted. In the cellar vinification is cold carbonic and semi carbonic maceration (approximately 30% juice) at 10-12 degrees with natural yeasts in large concrete vats. Bottling is done in Spring according to the moon, all wines are unfined and unfiltered.

The estate encompasses 9 hectares under vine, 7.5 in production. 2022 marked ten years since Yann took over the estate from his parents. At the beginning of his tenure Yann isolated two parcels (Fleurie Chaos and Morgon Dynamite) and employed biodynamic farming practices only on them. Analysis was done every year, the soils were teeming with life and now all farming at Bertrand is Biodynamic.

From a 0.7 hectare plot in Morgon, Bas Douby in Grand Cras. Here the soils are granite and schist high in iron and shallow manganese. 12 days maceration, elevage for 7 months in used barriques. Yann describes it as a wine that makes the earth speak and remains ultra fresh, digestible.
 
More brooding fruit compared to Dynamite. Morello cherry, plums, marigold. Dark and savoury. Tenison. Forest floor. Graphite. Tannins, minerality and acidity all intertwine. The tannins coat but are incredibly elegant. Tight to begin but opens in the glass, breadth and freshness. A more powerful expression of Morgon from Yann. - Liz Carey, Importer.