Vin de France Cayenne Julie Balagny 2018

Julie Balagny was one of the young leading lights who have left their mark on Beaujolais and continue to inspire the region today. Born in Paris, Julie left the capital to be closer to the community of winemakers she always admired. She first cut her teeth at Château de Rey, then at Domaine Terre des Chardons in the south of France; spotted by Yvon Métras, she set up her business in Fleurie in 2009.
Passionate about Gamay, she cultivated Gamay across 3.2 hectares in Fleurie, 1 hectare in Beaujolais and 0.7 hectares in Moulin-à-Vent. Initially drawn to the principles of organic farming before embracing natural wine, she ultimately abandoned all certification, championing above all a reasoned, pragmatic approach to viticulture rather than the constraints of a label. She treated her vines with herbal infusions and added neither yeast nor sulphur to the wines, relying solely on vatting temperatures. She prided herself on giving the wines plenty of time, so she could bring natural wines that were stable to the market. As a result, these are bold, full-of-character wines that are now recognised across the region and well beyond.
Following their tragic passing in 2023, the estate remains closed but continues to leave a lasting impression.

The Gamay vines, in some cases 90 years old, rise on the picturesque hills of Fleurie in the Beaujolais region. The estate, which follows organic viticulture practices, uses natural compost and plant-based preparations, and also follows the astronomy calendar. This rigorous approach yields authentic and natural wines. The hand-picked grapes undergo semi-carbonic fermentation in whole bunches in concrete vats. After being delicately pressed, the juice is racked into old Burgundy casks for a long ageing period. The wine is then bottled without fining or added sulphur.
The elegant ruby-red colour reveals a complex nose revealing herbaceous notes mingling with fruity aromas.  On the palate, a beautiful balance is struck by smooth tannins and a perfectly measured acidity, culminating in a rich, seductive and flavoursome finish.