Yann Bertrand
About
Returning to the Beaujolais, Yann began to learn from the incredible circle of producers that he never knew before – including well known people like Jean Foillard and Yvon Métras, as well as the behind-the-scenes guru Jacques Neauport (the quiet right-hand to the legendary Jules Chauvet). The entire Domaine Les Bertrands encompasses one 7.5 hectare vineyard, mostly in Fleurie, with a bit over the line in Morgon. The vineyard is loaded with ancient vines–the youngest are 30 years old, with the oldest vines at 110 years of age. His parents had been slowly moving in the direction of organic viticulture since taking over the family domaine in 1992; in 2013, the entire vineyard was certified organic. Additionally, Yann took on 1.5 hectare to farm on his own using biodynamic principles and created two new cuvées d’exception made in the neo-Beaujolais style of his well-known neighbors.
Products
Fleurie 'Cuvee du Chaos'
Fleurie Folie
Biodynamic and certified organic. These are among the ‘youngest’ vines from the vineyard of Grand Pré, one of the more established and serious of Yann’s estate parcels. The vines are 30-60 years old, largely on sandy granite soils. Carbonic maceration of about 15 days. Aging 50% in steel tank and 50% in 225L barrels. Don’t underestimate this ‘simple’ bottling: this is no goofy wine, but rather, a pretty, substantial, and pure expression of Fleurie.
Morgon 'Dynamite'
Fleurie Vieilles Vignes 'Cuvee Joshua'
Certified organic and biodynamic. Another new bottling from Yann, composed of Gamay from vines in Fleurie that are between 47 and 76 years-old. This first edition of this wine underwent a 13-day, semi-carbonic maceration followed by aging in 300L barrels for eight months, then it was left to age in bottle for another eight months before release. Unfined, unfiltered, zero SO2 added. The cuvée name is an homage to Josh Adler, the late founder of Paris Wine Co., who was one of Yann’s earliest supporters and with whom he developed a close and admiring friendship.
Fleurie 'Alice 6/10'
Certified organic and biodynamic. This new entry in the Bertrand canon represents a celebration of ten years of making wine, six years of enduring consecutive hailstorms, and a tribute to Yann’s wife, Alice. From the sandy granite soils which give Coup de Folie and Coup de Foudre. A selection of older and younger vines. It's a semi-carbonic maceration blended with 40% of direct press and aged entirely in old barrels that previously contained Gamay, Pinot Noir, and Mondeuse.
Triptyque Rouge Vin de France
Certified Organic. A new cuvée for Yann as of 2023, from purchased grapes from Tavel, namely Grenache from limey loess soils, Syrah from a single sandy parcel, and Cinsault from a parcel of galets roulés, or worn pebbles. The Grenache underwent carbonic maceration for 22 days; as did Cinsault, with some light punchdowns towards the end; and the Syrah was pressed directly. The wine was aged for seven months, ½ in concrete tanks and ½ in 225L barrels. Unfined, unfiltered, no SO2 added. It’s worth noting this fruit is pretty special: these are grapes Yann didn’t have to seek out on his own. During summer of 2023, when Yann all of a sudden lost a significant amount of fruit to late hail, Thibault Pfifferling was with him; it was he who immediately offered to source grapes for Yann from his own excellent grower-neighbors and friends. Yann jumped on the occasion and made Triptyque.
