At a glance

Producer

Jean Foillard

Region

Fleurie, Beaujolais, Burgundy, France

Grape variety

Gamay

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Fruity

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$120-$180 USD (current market: high secondary demand, rare older vintage)

Tasting profile

Elegant wild strawberry, rose petal, dried cherry, subtle earthy notes, mushroom, gentle sous bois, sandalwood, orange zest, silky texture.

Evolution: Primary fruit now receding, nuanced forest floor and developed florality. Tannins completely integrated, acidity still fresh, minerality prominent.

At peak: Wine is at or slightly past peak. Will hold charm 1-2 more years before gentle decline in aromatics and definition.

Structure

Acidity

medium to medium-high, still fresh

Tannins

very fine, resolved

Alcohol

moderate (typically 13% ABV)

Aging potential

At plateau, best within next 1-2 years

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2017 to 2034

Optimal window

2014 to 2037

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Fully mature; showing developed tertiary character, top condition if cellared well

Jean Foillard's Fleurie is known for its longevity among Beaujolais crus, thanks to low intervention winemaking, older vines, and careful elevage. The 2009, a warm and fruit-rich vintage, evolved gracefully, developing complex tertiary aromas and a silky, resolved palate. At 15 years, it is drinking at its finest for lovers of mature Gamay, but will decline towards a finer, lighter style in coming years.

Food pairing

Duck breast with cherry sauce, roast chicken, mushroom risotto, charcuterie, aged Comté, lentil salads, roasted root vegetables.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

No chemical fertilizers/herbicides/pesticides; horse-plowed vineyards; hand harvest; minimal added sulfur; indigenous yeast fermentations. No fining or filtration. Lightweight bottles.

Jean Foillard is renowned for sustainable, traditional practices: organic but uncertified, with biodynamic elements informally adopted. Vineyard work is manual, use of horses reduces soil compaction and fossil fuel reliance. Gravity-fed cellars, low-intervention winemaking, and light bottles all reduce environmental impact. The only significant carbon cost arises from international shipping. Compared to both commercial and most boutique producers, Foillard ranks high for authentic sustainability driven by respect for land and terroir.