Yann Bertrand’s philosophy is simple; attain the most beautiful balance possible for the soil, as a soil with good equilibrium will produce a grape that represents the terroir where it is grown. His parents Guy and Annick moved to organic farming in 1992 with Yann switching up to bio-dynamics with the mentorship of Jacques Néauport

Established in the 1950’s by his grandfather Louis Bertrand, Les Bertrand is located in a special part of Beaujolais known as ‘Grand-pré’. A section that straddles the crus of both Fleurie and Morgon, rich in sandy granitic soil that Yann works so hard on year round.

The estate wines from these appellations are uniquely different even though all the vines are in the same area. The complexity found in the vineyard is demonstrated through these different cuvees.

Resulting from the disasters of frost and hail in 2016 & 2017, Yann was forced to look further afield, and has struck up ongoing sources of organic farmed grapes from Julienas and Saint Amour in the far north of the region from which he is making some excellent wines from terroir that intrigues him because of its stark differences to the home block.

A 2 hectare plot of 50 to 70 year old vines on fine arenas granitic soils. A quarter sees elevage in concrete, the remainder in 225 litre barrels of 7+ years and demi-muids for 10 months, with an additional 11 months aging in bottle prior to release. 2020 sees a shorter maceration comparative to the 2019

A shy nose initially which moves to a mix of red and blue fruits that fill that palate also with some delicate spice and a twist of blood orange. Long lithe tannins that start out feathery yet become more complete and resolved as it takes some air, structured, fresh and salivating. Precision, with a lift of mineral acidity at the back.