Fleurie Dancing Queen Julie Balagny 2021

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 old Gamay vines, with an average age of 90 years, grow on pink granite soils on steep slopes, requiring meticulous care. Each parcel of vines enjoys the benefits of healthy viticulture, following the principles of organic farming. In the cellar, the vinification is low-intervention. The grapes are macerated in glass fibre vats in whole bunches for around three weeks. Alcoholic fermentation is carried out spontaneously using the indigenous yeasts that are naturally present in the grapes. Finally, the wine is matured in old, already-used barrels before being bottled without fining or filtration. To optimise the expression of the terroir and the grape variety, no sulphites are used.
The crimson-red colour unveils an expressive nose marked by aromas of small red berries. On the palate, the supple tannins balance perfectly with the acidity, leading to an invigorating, mouth-watering finish.