Winegrowers’ portraits Fleurie
To reach the Domains of the Madone and the Niagara, you have to rise. The narrow road that climbs up to father and son Desprès' estates leads the adventurers on the steep and renowned hillsides of the appellation Fleurie. The Virgo of the chapel, which overhangs and seems to watch over the vineyard, gives its name to the family property. “I must be the 6th generation”, Arnaud Desprès confides. 18 hectares around the chapel, exposed South-Southwest and perched at an altitude of 450 meters, form the Domain of the Madone. As for the Niagara, it is on a neighbouring hill and benefits from a South-East/South-West aspect. Both domains are caressed by the wind, very frequent at this height. “It cleans up the grapes”, explains the young wine grower.The thirty-year-old man reveals that he works with his father since his early age. Jean-Marc Desprès, talented wine grower, transmitted his passion. They first cooperate on the Domain of the Madone. Then in 2005 Arnaud takes over the 6 hectares of the Domain of the Niagara that belonged to his great-grandfather. Having both their own lands, they continue collaborating. Each brings his knowledge, traditional or innovative ideas. “It is reassuring to have my father at my side, Arnaud recognizes. As for me I proposed new practices: we destem more than previously for example. It allows having a bit longer maceration time without destemming 100%.” The synergy between father and son is positive if we refer to the content of the glass. The cuvees of both domains have their specificities but they all are very well-made, complex and flattering.
Beautiful wines thanks to the two men's meticulous approach, the careful observation of the vines, hand picking, multiple and fiddly sortings, the search for the expression of the Gamay and the affection for the terroir… A rich terroir by the way: “The slopes permit the water not to stagnate, the wind brings its benefits, the pink granite provides minerality”, Arnaud underlines.
The Tradition cuvee of the Madone, without ageing, reveals a lovely matter and a delicious fruit, notes of violet and prune. A feminine, easy-to-drink wine.
The Fleurie Vieilles Vignes stems from 70 to 100-year old stocks… really wonderful! Fine tannins, concentrated fruitiness, beautiful ampleness and a finish on brandied cherry and prunes.
Arnaud Desprès
The Fleurie Cuvée Grille Midi is richer, at the same time straight and round, on notes of jammy fruits: a treasure again!
The cuvee Fleurie Domaine du Niagara presents, after a spicy nose, a marvellous complexity, notes of wild strawberries, liquorice and prune. A wine to be laid down a year or two so that it reveals the complete intensity of its aromas.
Domaine de la Madone
69820 Fleurie - France
Tel: +33 (0) 4 74 69 81 51
Château Belmar is run by a man and a woman who set themselves a crazy challenge: producing wine in the northern Sarthe region.
In the spring of 2022, Champagne Philipponnat celebrated its 500th anniversary during two exceptional dinners, in Reims and in Paris. Charles Philipponnat, the 15th generation, who has been...
During the harvest, we discovered some of Gérard Bertrand's properties. This is definitely a real eye-opener for the identity and personality of the wines!