Mathieu Paquet 2022 Fleurie en Bel-Air Beaujolais

A radiant and elegant Beaujolais that captures the pure, floral charm of Fleurie with clarity and finesse. The 2022 Fleurie en Bel-Air offers vibrant red fruit, scented florals, and graceful structure — a wine that’s both immediately approachable and rewarding with careful tasting.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Produced in the Fleurie AOC of Beaujolais, France, this cuvée reflects the terroir’s famed granitic soils and gentle rolling hills. Winemaker Mathieu Paquet focuses on preserving vineyard expression and varietal purity, crafting this wine predominantly from hand-harvested Gamay grapes.

After a gentle whole-cluster or semi-whole-cluster pressing, fermentation proceeds with indigenous yeasts, embracing Beaujolais’s tradition of minimal intervention. The wine is matured on fine lees in stainless steel or older neutral vessels to allow texture and aromatic intensity to develop naturally without overt oak influence. The result is a Beaujolais that displays intensely pure fruit, elegant tension, and floral lift — all hallmarks of a refined Fleurie.

Critics Reviews & Scores

Professional reviewers have noted the 2022 Fleurie en Bel-Air as a standout expression:

James Suckling – 93 points
Suckling praises its silky texture and floral perfume, calling out crisp red cherry, raspberry, and delicate violet notes. He highlights its fine tannins and refreshing finish as especially compelling.

Wine Enthusiast – 91 points
Wine Enthusiast emphasizes the wine’s approachable fruitiness balanced with structure, observing that its floral and red fruit layers make it an inviting and versatile Beaujolais for both casual and formal occasions.

Across reviews, critics celebrate its aromatic purity, drinkability, and graceful tension — qualities that mark it among the stronger offerings within the region’s 2022 vintage.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Bright and fragrant, with red cherry, raspberry, and wild strawberry lifted by violet, rose petal, and a hint of crushed herbs. Subtle nuances of spice and a touch of earth add depth.

Palate:
Light to medium-bodied with fresh red fruit at the forefront — cranberry, tart cherry, and redcurrant — complemented by fine, silky tannins and a refreshing acidity. Hints of spice and mineral nuance deepen the mid-palate while preserving purity.

Finish:
Clean, elegant, and enduring — lingering red fruit echoes and floral undertones give the finish a refined, buoyant quality.

Quick Overview