This is a light to medium-bodied, perfumed red in the classic Fleurie style: elegant, fragrant, and vibrant rather than heavy or tannic. It features bright red fruit, floral notes, and silky texture, with gentle extraction and some structure from the old vines. A portion of the cuvée is often vinified or aged in neutral oak for added dimension without overpowering the fruit. Fleurie wines are frequently called the most “feminine” or delicate in Beaujolais, with La Roilette adding density and precision
Critics Reviews and Tasting Notes
Specific 2017 scores are limited in public sources, but the wine fits the domaine’s reputation for high-quality, underrated Fleurie (often 87–90+ range for the cuvée across vintages).
- A critic note for the 2017 vintage describes: “Beautiful light ruby. Alluring nose of ripe red berry fruits accented by redcurrant and strawberry. The palate is extremely…” (note cuts off in sources but emphasizes ripe, fresh red fruit character).
- General tasting notes for the La Roilette Vieilles Vignes (applicable across recent vintages, including similar profiles for 2017): Ruby color with aromas of red berry fruits, floral notes (violets), ripe cherry, raspberry, and dried flower or spice hints. Palate shows engaging sweet berry fruit (not sugary, but ripe), fine-grained tannins, good precision, and a perfumed, Pinot-like elegance in some descriptions. It is vibrant and fresh with structure to develop.
- User/community averages (Vivino for the cuvée): Around 3.8/5, with mentions of red fruit, light-to-medium body, and food-friendliness.
The 2017 vintage in Beaujolais was generally strong, producing fruity, balanced wines with good acidity.
Food Pairings
Fleurie Gamay excels with lighter or versatile dishes due to its acidity, red fruit, and low-to-moderate tannins:
- Classic matches: Chicken, turkey, poultry (including roasted or with herbs), duck, chicken livers, or game birds.
- Other good options: Charcuterie, terrines, pork, lamb (lighter preparations), salmon or tuna, earthy mushroom dishes, or even some Asian/Chinese cuisine with moderate spice.
- Avoid very heavy, fatty, or sweet dishes; it shines with fresh, vibrant foods.
Drink Window
- Suggested drinking window: 2020–2029 (ready to drink but with potential to hold and evolve nicely through the late 2020s due to old-vine structure and the vintage’s balance).
- As of 2026, it is in a good mature phase—fresh fruit may have softened into more tertiary notes, but it should still show vibrant red berry and floral character if well-stored. Many Cru Beaujolais from strong vintages like 2017 drink beautifully young but can develop for 5–10+ years.
