Calvet Fleurie

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4 February 2026

This 2023 vintage is made from 100% Gamay, with an alcohol level of 13.5 percent. The wine has been aged on fine lees for 10 months in stainless steel.

The colour is a pale purple. The aroma is full and expressive, with intense strawberry and raspberry, alongside rose petals. On tasting, it is silky and perfumed with red fruit and a delicate texture, followed by an impressive mid taste lift of fruity sweetness. In terms of sweetness, it is actually dry, as I will explain later, with light but clearly discernible tannins.

One thing I should mention is that, unlike most French reds, this one doesn’t improve on the second day or beyond as it tends to lose its fruity mid taste lift. It’s best enjoyed in a single sitting, which isn’t hard to do given how delicious it is.

At first my wife and I thought it was slightly sweet. I loved the sweetness and forgave it for being so, even though it should not be, as it really added to the wine. However, I checked with a hydrometer and it is indeed dry. It is one of those wines that has preserved so much fruit flavour that it appears sweet. No forgiveness needed, it is simply a great wine. One of the nicest Fleurie I have had.

Priced at £14.50 from Ocado, reduced to £11.25 as I write this.

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