Domaine de la Pirolette St-Amour l'Age de Raisin 2021
A limited-edition cuvee from Domaine de la Pirolette. Crafted from old-vine Gamay grown on a mosaic of blue stone, pink granite, and clay-limestone soils, this wine undergoes whole-cluster fermentation using the traditional chapeau grillé method, followed by nine months’ ageing in concrete tanks. The result is a juicy, fragrant Saint-Amour brimming with red berry fruit, floral lift, and a subtle mineral tension.
Some of you will remember we’ve offered wines from this domaine before, from the 2019 and 2020 vintages. These are classic examples of the Beaujolais renaissance – wines that are rich and velvety, yet balanced by the hallmark Gamay acidity, bringing harmony to the vibrant burst of fruit. They also offer remarkable value for money, coupled with sheer hedonistic drinking pleasure.
In 2013, Grégory Barbet was house-hunting in Beaujolais when his father, Xavier, called about a beautiful property in Saint-Amour—with a catch. It came with a historic winery dating back to the 1600s and 15 hectares of vines. Though initially daunted by the scale of the project, Grégory couldn’t pass up the opportunity. The former owners sold the wine in bulk, but the vineyards were exceptional—perched on a hilltop with minimal topsoil and 65-year-old vines.
Saint-Amour may be one of the smallest crus in Beaujolais, but it has some of the most diverse soils: blue volcanic schist, granite, pink granite, clay, sandstone, and more. Domaine de la Pirolette spans 12 parcels across three major soil types. Barbet quickly transitioned to organic practices and earned HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) certification in 2019. With large holdings in each soil type, they vinify most parcels separately—expressing each terroir’s unique character.
Winemaking is traditional: 50% whole cluster fermentation in cement tanks, using the gentle chapeau grillé method to submerge the cap and extract flavour naturally. The wines are aged in stainless steel, with plans to incorporate large foudres. Barbet also produces two special single-vineyard cuvées—La Poulette and Le Carjot—aged in concrete eggs and barrels. These limited bottlings highlight the purity, energy, and complexity that define Saint-Amour at its finest.
ABV: 14%