2016 Anne Sophie Dubois Fleurie L'Alchimiste 750 ml

Top Sommelier Favorite Everyday Red

Ask any sommelier what their favorite everyday red is, and most will tell you it’s Cru Beaujolais, not to be confused with the simple and fruity Beaujolais Nouveau wine released every November. Fleurie is one of the 10 Crus within Beaujolais, singled out for its top quality wines, courtesy of highly granitic soils, which lend dark-berried fruit, balanced by minerality, impressive florals and classic black tea notes. One of our all-time favorites from Fleurie, and latest release, is this 2016 Anne-Sophie Dubois, Fleurie "L’Alchimiste." Dubois is a young rock-star winemaker of the region whose viticultural influence was none other than legendary French vigneron Henri Jayer. Even Parker’s Wine Advocate gushes, “She just has the right approach to winemaking – adhering to traditional methods of vinification and allowing her Fleurie to ‘sing,’” and raved that her wines are “absolutely delicious.” Don’t miss out on one of the most exciting wine values on the planet. Shipping included on 6.

Lovers of Cru Beaujolais should take note: Hail in April and June limited the quantity of fruit in 2016, but the rest of the growing season in Beaujolais was ideal. A dry, warm, but not-too-warm August lead to wines of ripe, succulent fruits, but without sacrificing the quintessential refreshing character of Beaujolais. The resulting 2016 Cru Beaujolais are wines of bright intensity, complex, and highly food friendly—however, in short supply.  

Miraculously, in Fleurie, Dubois’ southwest-facing vineyards were mostly unscathed. The Volnay-trained Dubois delivers a Burgundy-like lushness to her wines, which plucked off 40+ year-old vines perched on rich granite slopes, are the epitome of Beaujolais power and freshness.

Taking cues from the legendary French vigneron Henri Jayer, Anne-Sophie employs organic farming methods, native yeasts and hand-harvesting—all in hopes of showcasing the true terroir of Fleurie. The “L’Alchimiste” is aged 15 months in a combination of cement vats and large, neutral barrels. The wine is then bottled unfined and unfiltered. Her meticulous guidance produces a complex, nuanced selection that both honors Beaujolais tradition and forges its own path.