Château des Bachelards - Petite Fleur 2018

Formerly a vineyard owned by the monks of Cluny, Château des Bachelards spans 12 hectares—6 of which are in Fleurie, forming a single contiguous block surrounding the château—with the remainder spread across the Moulin-à-Vent and Saint-Amour appellations. It is owned by Countess Alexandra de Vazeilles, who, after a career in corporate consulting, purchased the property in 2014. Notably, the vineyard has been certified organic since 2007, and it was Countess de Vazeilles who guided it toward biodynamic certification in 2015 and, in 2017, toward obtaining the “Fermes d’Avenir” label. Alexandra de Vazeilles has a strong personality, an entrepreneurial spirit, and an iron will—qualities that sometimes clash with the traditional winemaker’s mindset, which tends to be secretive and resistant to change. One need only taste a few of the estate’s vintages to grasp the unique character of this prominent estate. The young 2016 vintages are remarkable for their structure and precision. The use of oak is not taboo for the countess, but rather the hallmark of fine wines built for aging. Isn’t that one of the attributes we reserve for great wines?

A graduate in oenology, Alexandra de Vazeilles acquired this lovely estate in 2014. She cut her teeth at prestigious wineries in Burgundy and the Bordeaux region. The entire vineyard, ranging in age from 60 to over 100 years, has been certified biodynamic since 2015. She seeks depth in her wines while maintaining true finesse. The winemaking process, which is adapted to each vintage, allows for this.