2014 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
Tasting Notes
Our Fleurie “Château des Labourons” reveals a deep and bright colour. The nose offers a nice bouquet of red and black fruits and delicate notes of spices. In the mouth, the texture is rich and very aromatic, fruity with subtle toasted notes. The finish is persistent.
Specs
Vintage: 2014
Varietal 100% Gamay
Alcohol: 12.5%
2015 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
Tasting Notes
Our Fleurie “Château des Labourons” 2015 shows a nice ruby red colour with purple lights. The nose is intense with flavours of blackberry and black currant. On the palate, the wine is concentrated, the tannins are supple and silky. A beautiful finish with violet notes slightly peppery.
Specs
Vintage: 2015
Varietal: 100% Gamay
Alcohol: 13.5%
2016 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
Tasting Notes
Reveals deep and bright color. The nose offers a nice bouquet of red and black fruits and delicate notes of spices. In the mouth the texture is rich and very aromatic, fruity with subtle toasted notes. The finish is persistent.
Specs
Vintage: 2016
Varietal: 100% Gamay
Alcohol: 13.5%
Winery Notes
Château des Labourons dominates the beautiful hillsides of the Fleurie appellation. It is located 3 kilometres further up the hill from the hamlet of Les Labourons. The combination of the altitude, slope, exposure and quality of the soil have created a promising terroir in the heart of the Fleurie Cru. Château des Labourons’ current architecture dates from the 19th century. It was rebuilt from ashes after a devastating fire, but still retains some of its original architectural character. This Château has a long history, over five generations of the “de Lescure” family, and it was already producing wine by the 18th century.
The Château carries out non-carbonic vinification in open vats with the very best grapes. After the pneumatic pressing and fermentations, the wine is matured in old oak tuns before bottling.
Suggested Food Pairings
Roasted chicken, grilled meats and cheese.
Specs
Appellation: Fleurie “Château des Labourons”- Cru du Beaujolais
Estate vines: 18 ha
Average Vine Age: 40 years
Soil composition: igneous rock, mainly pale pink granite that breaks down into coarse and creates “blockfields”
Pruning: Gobelet
Harvest: Manual
Density of Vines: 10000 vines/ha
Average yield: 45 hl/ha
What’s Included
3-bottles:
1x 2014 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
1x 2015 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
1x 2016 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
Case:
4x 2014 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
4x 2015 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
4x 2016 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
Since 1888 the Fessy family has been based in the heart of the Brouilly appellation of Beaujolais, France. Over the years they have purchased choice parcels of vineyards in most of the 10 Crus and the Beaujolais-Villages appellations to create the enviable domaine that they have today of nearly 70 hectares of prime vineyards. Work in the vineyards is carried out with sensitivity and intelligence and they only intervene when necessary. This philosophy allows them to produce highly complex wines which express a real sense of place and origin. They offer the full range of Beaujolais wines from their own vineyards each expressing their own unique terroir. Experience, tradition, respect and an in-depth knowledge of the Beaujolais vineyards go hand in hand-making Henry Fessy a respected quality-driven Domaine.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais Vertical
3 bottles for $49.99 $16.66/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $134.99 $11.25/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais Vertical - $65 = 32.49%
@chipgreen Wow significant case discount (or small-order penalty) so this is an all-or-nothing deal for me. But with a vertical (thanks for mixing it up) it’s not the same as getting 1 case of all the same exact wine.
2014 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
I was very excited to get the Lab Rat notification email and appreciate the opportunity to rat! This bottle arrived in plenty of time, so I kept it in the wine fridge (55 degrees) for a few days. I was very excited to get the bottle. This is the kind of wine I pick from the menu or buy off the store shelf. It’s French, it’s got some age, Cru Beaujolais, gamay.
Bottle looked good:
Cork looked good:
PnP - The acid hits you first. Very little fruit. Just the right amount of tannin for me. Good acid and structure but almost no flavor.
Poured into a decanter. No sediment. Waited 30 minutes while I got the kids fed.
Poured a glass from the decanter. The acid is still there but now more balanced with dark fruits - blackberry, sour cherry, a hint of bitterness.
This is a very approachable wine, good for people who don’t love high tannin and do like moderate/high acid. The acid is, in my opinion, nicely balanced, but it is evident. The fruit is very mellow - either due to the time or the grape or both. It’s pleasant, but no specific fruit flavor shines through the smoothness of the overall package.
We’ve got a busy travel day and a funeral today, but I’ll try to get back to the remaining 375 tonight and give updates if anything changed.
Pulled the 375 out of the regular fridge after about 24 hours and poured glasses for myself and my wife. At fridge temp (cold!) it wasn’t good. All you got was the acid. As it warmed up toward room temperature some of the fruit from yesterday started to come back. It never returned to where it peaked on day 1, but it was drinkable.
@pupator wow thanks for the amazing report. Impressive and intimidating. You should be in wine sales, you would kill it. Seriously, fantastic information that is much appreciated by the novices (me) that count on info like yours to make wise decisions. Grateful.
2016 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
I got the UPS notice that a bottle was on its way followed early the next morning by the email from Alice. Inside was a 2016 Henry Fessy Chateau des Labourons Fleurie. I had just drank the 2011 Fleurie that was offered on Casemates in August 2020 last week. I enjoyed the 2011, especially the first 2 bottles. The third and most recent was nice the first night but didn’t seem to hold up for night 2. It grew acidic overnight on the bar under vacuvin.
This 2016 had aromas of bright sour cherries and cranberries. The color is light burgundy with thin edges. Definitely light bodied. The nose has tart raspberries and plum on the nose, bright cherry and plum and maybe molasses on the palate. The first sip finished with a pop of high toned red cherries. It is not sweet, but the bright fruits make it easy to drink. It paired well with the herbed turkey breast from the air fryer. This will go well with Thanksgiving turkey.
The bottle was kept on the bar under vacuvin overnight. Summer is officially over in NEOhio as graupel peppered my face as I cut the lawn (for hopefully the next to the last time this year) After I warmed up a bit, I warmed up dinner; leftover chicken parm and pasta and poured a glass. The color may have deepened slightly, but not much. The aromas remained bright tending towards black cherries and maybe brown or maple sugar now. The palate is not much different - still light bodied, tart cranberries and red/black cherries. Finish is cranberry with good acids that are mouth watering. Tannins are hardly evident.
I found the 2016 fresher and more lively than the 2011, but I found the body a little too light for my tastes. It will go well with Thanksgiving turkey and should be enjoyed by casual wine drinkers and those who enjoy the lighter bodied reds. The price of the last offering was a great deal and the case price here is slightly better. Although I am way overstocked at the moment, if there is interest in a split, I would be in for a trio.
The 2015:
88 Points. The estate is located to the north west of the village of Fleurie, further into the hills. The wine is structured and tannic with layers of red berries and tight acidity. It will need to soften for a few months, so drink from late 2017. RV 3/1/17
and 2016:
90 Points. Some wood aging has given this single-estate wine its smooth, polished character. Along with having the concentration of old vines, this wine is rich, generous and likely to age well. Drink from late 2018. RV 3/1/18
2015:
88 Points. A juicy, open-knit red, with ample blackberry, plum and cassis fruit mixed with floral, licorice snap and zesty details. Light but grippy tannins and supple acidity frame the clean, mineral-tinged finish. Drink now through 2020. 4,000 cases made. — GS Web only - 2017
2016:
85 Points. A snappy, light-bodied red, with tangy cherry and currant fruit matched with savory spice, mineral and dried herb details. Light tannins frame the finish. Drink now through 2020. 3,000 cases made, 520 cases imported. — GS Web only - 2018
2015 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
Well this is fun! A little vertical surprise! Thanks as always Alice & David. On to the good stuff…
I received the package well in advance so this had time to settle a bit in my cellar (55 degrees).
I also happened to have purchased the last case of the 2011 and so I shall compare them for you here (I know I’m a good guy - I get it).
First - a quick note: I loved the 2011 - it’s a fantastic example of what aging can do to this grape (which is not traditionally well thought of in certain circles). It has a beautiful brick color and you’re starting to see just a touch of orange creep into the edges - as you’d expect.
Great funk on the nose with a ton of great iron & cherry. Lively acidity, after a few minutes in glass you get tart cranberry & raspberry as well as lovely cherry notes. Minimal tannins but enough for some structure, easy to drink and a wonderful food wine - the acidity really shines here (goes great with Caesar salad).
On to the reason you’re here…
The 2015
Much darker on the pour vs the 2011 - a lovely cherry red out of the bottle. Fairly muted on pour with a little alcohol in the nose - blows off quickly (note this is not high alcohol 13.5%). This wine presents with a little more sweetness than the 2011 - not a tremendous amount but it’s there. It’s fuller (than the 2011), has great body, wonderful acidity and went great with everything we put it against (a myriad of cheeses and lentil soup). This did need about 15 minutes to open up in glass and then really started to evolve over the night.
So… All in all - this is a buy for me - I don’t think it was as good as the 2011, but in time I think it will be. All 3 of these were better vintages than the 11 (14,15,16) and all 3 (according to vintage charts) aren’t ready to drink yet
Thank you all for listening and thanks again for the opportunity to rat.
Hi Everyone,
Since the winemaker is not likely to get on the board today I thought I would share a recent answer I sent to a good customer that asked me about her friend’s problem with getting head aches from red wine.
Hi Jean,
From what you explain, my guess is that your friend’s headache is being affected by one or both of two things.
Free SO2 in the wine. SO2 in has been used since the Roman Empire. We add it as an antioxidant, and it is widely used in Europe as well as here. Even if you don’t add it, the fermentation process produces it. So, there is no such thing as a sulfite free wine, only a “No Sulfites added Wine”. As wine ages the free SO2 turns into bound SO2 which tends not to effect people as much. If the negociants are selling no sulfite added wines, they will only stay fresh for 6 months to a year. We tend to bottle wines at about 30ppm free SO2, both in America and in Europe. The free SO2 slowly, about 2 ppm per year, dissipates.
A lot of people are affected by the histamines in red wines. The histamines are the tannins in the wine. Have your friend try taking an antihistamine when drinking your red wine and see if that helps. What affects us is the ends of the tannin molecule. As wine ages the tannin molecules polymerize or chain up. If they chain up enough the molecules become too heavy, and they precipitate out of the wine. This is called crusting. So, the bigger but fewer tannin molecules in an older wine tend to effect people less that have a histamine problem. Cabernet Sauvignon when young have lots of small tannin molecules and often, we say it is hard as nails and needs to age to soften up. As the wine ages the many small molecules chain up so there are resulting bigger tannin molecule with resulting fewer ends. With Syrah, this polymerization happens right away when the wine is fermenting. That is why Syrah has a big tannin but a lush soft tannin. See if your friend does better with Syrah as a opposed to Cabernet Sauvignon.
Hopefully, this helps.
Scott
@ScottHarveyWine Thanks for the explanation, very interesting. I don’t suffer this problem but I have relatives who do. Maybe I’ll bring them a bottle of the 2014 from my forthcoming case:
/giphy overjoyed-obstinate-judge
Excellent! Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais is hands down the best red wine I have purchased from Casemates over the last few years, regardless of vintage year.
@radiolysis@willbill
Pulled a cork on the '14 last night.
Not a huge fan of Gamay in general, but for the $$ why not.
Jury still out for me if it’s a keeper or a gifter.
2014 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
Tasting Notes
Specs
2015 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
Tasting Notes
Specs
2016 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
Tasting Notes
Specs
Winery Notes
Suggested Food Pairings
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $360/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Nov 22 - Friday, Nov 26
Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais Vertical
3 bottles for $49.99 $16.66/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $134.99 $11.25/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2014 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie
2015 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie
2016 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais Vertical - $65 = 32.49%
@chipgreen Wow significant case discount (or small-order penalty) so this is an all-or-nothing deal for me. But with a vertical (thanks for mixing it up) it’s not the same as getting 1 case of all the same exact wine.
2014 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
I was very excited to get the Lab Rat notification email and appreciate the opportunity to rat! This bottle arrived in plenty of time, so I kept it in the wine fridge (55 degrees) for a few days. I was very excited to get the bottle. This is the kind of wine I pick from the menu or buy off the store shelf. It’s French, it’s got some age, Cru Beaujolais, gamay.
Bottle looked good:
Cork looked good:
PnP - The acid hits you first. Very little fruit. Just the right amount of tannin for me. Good acid and structure but almost no flavor.
Poured into a decanter. No sediment. Waited 30 minutes while I got the kids fed.
Poured a glass from the decanter. The acid is still there but now more balanced with dark fruits - blackberry, sour cherry, a hint of bitterness.
This is a very approachable wine, good for people who don’t love high tannin and do like moderate/high acid. The acid is, in my opinion, nicely balanced, but it is evident. The fruit is very mellow - either due to the time or the grape or both. It’s pleasant, but no specific fruit flavor shines through the smoothness of the overall package.
We’ve got a busy travel day and a funeral today, but I’ll try to get back to the remaining 375 tonight and give updates if anything changed.
Pulled the 375 out of the regular fridge after about 24 hours and poured glasses for myself and my wife. At fridge temp (cold!) it wasn’t good. All you got was the acid. As it warmed up toward room temperature some of the fruit from yesterday started to come back. It never returned to where it peaked on day 1, but it was drinkable.
@pupator wow thanks for the amazing report. Impressive and intimidating. You should be in wine sales, you would kill it. Seriously, fantastic information that is much appreciated by the novices (me) that count on info like yours to make wise decisions. Grateful.
2016 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
I got the UPS notice that a bottle was on its way followed early the next morning by the email from Alice. Inside was a 2016 Henry Fessy Chateau des Labourons Fleurie. I had just drank the 2011 Fleurie that was offered on Casemates in August 2020 last week. I enjoyed the 2011, especially the first 2 bottles. The third and most recent was nice the first night but didn’t seem to hold up for night 2. It grew acidic overnight on the bar under vacuvin.
This 2016 had aromas of bright sour cherries and cranberries. The color is light burgundy with thin edges. Definitely light bodied. The nose has tart raspberries and plum on the nose, bright cherry and plum and maybe molasses on the palate. The first sip finished with a pop of high toned red cherries. It is not sweet, but the bright fruits make it easy to drink. It paired well with the herbed turkey breast from the air fryer. This will go well with Thanksgiving turkey.
The bottle was kept on the bar under vacuvin overnight. Summer is officially over in NEOhio as graupel peppered my face as I cut the lawn (for hopefully the next to the last time this year) After I warmed up a bit, I warmed up dinner; leftover chicken parm and pasta and poured a glass. The color may have deepened slightly, but not much. The aromas remained bright tending towards black cherries and maybe brown or maple sugar now. The palate is not much different - still light bodied, tart cranberries and red/black cherries. Finish is cranberry with good acids that are mouth watering. Tannins are hardly evident.
I found the 2016 fresher and more lively than the 2011, but I found the body a little too light for my tastes. It will go well with Thanksgiving turkey and should be enjoyed by casual wine drinkers and those who enjoy the lighter bodied reds. The price of the last offering was a great deal and the case price here is slightly better. Although I am way overstocked at the moment, if there is interest in a split, I would be in for a trio.
The 2014 from Bettane et Desseauve (?)
14/20. Nez boisé, vanillé. Finale serrée, retour un peu asséchant.
Woody nose, vanilla. Tight finish, a little dry return.
https://www.mybettanedesseauve.fr/detail-vin/?commentId=192919
and 2015 same source:
14/20. Nez ouvert, épicé, poivré, pot-pourri. Ample, de la chair, juteux, tannins juste mûrs.
Open nose, spicy, peppery, potpourri. Ample, fleshy, juicy, just ripe tannins.
https://www.mybettanedesseauve.fr/detail-vin/?commentId=199475
Paging Wine Enthusiast…
The 2015:
88 Points. The estate is located to the north west of the village of Fleurie, further into the hills. The wine is structured and tannic with layers of red berries and tight acidity. It will need to soften for a few months, so drink from late 2017. RV 3/1/17
https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/henry-fessy-2015-chateau-des-labourons-fleurie/
and 2016:
90 Points. Some wood aging has given this single-estate wine its smooth, polished character. Along with having the concentration of old vines, this wine is rich, generous and likely to age well. Drink from late 2018. RV 3/1/18
https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/henry-fessy-2016-chateau-des-labourons-fleurie/
Spectator chimes in…
2015:
88 Points. A juicy, open-knit red, with ample blackberry, plum and cassis fruit mixed with floral, licorice snap and zesty details. Light but grippy tannins and supple acidity frame the clean, mineral-tinged finish. Drink now through 2020. 4,000 cases made. — GS Web only - 2017
2016:
85 Points. A snappy, light-bodied red, with tangy cherry and currant fruit matched with savory spice, mineral and dried herb details. Light tannins frame the finish. Drink now through 2020. 3,000 cases made, 520 cases imported. — GS Web only - 2018
fwiw
@kaolis “Drink now through 2020???” … Oh oh.
Actually it’s probably fine and might even change them in positive ways.
@pmarin
2015 Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais
Well this is fun! A little vertical surprise! Thanks as always Alice & David. On to the good stuff…
I received the package well in advance so this had time to settle a bit in my cellar (55 degrees).
I also happened to have purchased the last case of the 2011 and so I shall compare them for you here (I know I’m a good guy - I get it).
First - a quick note: I loved the 2011 - it’s a fantastic example of what aging can do to this grape (which is not traditionally well thought of in certain circles). It has a beautiful brick color and you’re starting to see just a touch of orange creep into the edges - as you’d expect.
Great funk on the nose with a ton of great iron & cherry. Lively acidity, after a few minutes in glass you get tart cranberry & raspberry as well as lovely cherry notes. Minimal tannins but enough for some structure, easy to drink and a wonderful food wine - the acidity really shines here (goes great with Caesar salad).
On to the reason you’re here…
The 2015
Much darker on the pour vs the 2011 - a lovely cherry red out of the bottle. Fairly muted on pour with a little alcohol in the nose - blows off quickly (note this is not high alcohol 13.5%). This wine presents with a little more sweetness than the 2011 - not a tremendous amount but it’s there. It’s fuller (than the 2011), has great body, wonderful acidity and went great with everything we put it against (a myriad of cheeses and lentil soup). This did need about 15 minutes to open up in glass and then really started to evolve over the night.
So… All in all - this is a buy for me - I don’t think it was as good as the 2011, but in time I think it will be. All 3 of these were better vintages than the 11 (14,15,16) and all 3 (according to vintage charts) aren’t ready to drink yet
Thank you all for listening and thanks again for the opportunity to rat.
Now take my money!!!
Anyone in Upstate SC want to split?
@jchasma mid SC here (Columbia) I’d do a split
@jchasma I’m in forest acres, east side of columbia
Dang, the French funk, vertical, all for under $13 a bottle…take my money…here for a case!
@pupator @pjmartin @pete0744 @kaolis
Would just like to thank the Rats for Reports at the early end of the offer.
Interesting - pretty rare to have a gamay that has a bit of age on it . . .and a vertical ta boot! Wow . . .
In for a case in iowa
I’m in for a case based on the excellent labrat reports.
Cheers
Hi Everyone,
Since the winemaker is not likely to get on the board today I thought I would share a recent answer I sent to a good customer that asked me about her friend’s problem with getting head aches from red wine.
Hi Jean,
From what you explain, my guess is that your friend’s headache is being affected by one or both of two things.
Hopefully, this helps.
Scott
@ScottHarveyWine Thanks for the explanation, very interesting. I don’t suffer this problem but I have relatives who do. Maybe I’ll bring them a bottle of the 2014 from my forthcoming case:
/giphy overjoyed-obstinate-judge
@ScottHarveyWine
I too don’t suffer, but hear from those that do; now I have a suggestion for them to try.
Thanks Scott!
Despite the Ms saying “I thought we were trying to drink less”, I’m in for a case
I hope the ominous order id doesn’t jinx it:
/giphy actually-yucky-smoke
Michigan split (Novi to Warren)?
Looks good. In for a case.
Excellent! Henry Fessy Château des Labourons Fleurie Cru Beaujolais is hands down the best red wine I have purchased from Casemates over the last few years, regardless of vintage year.
@willbill do you generally like Gamay? Or was this new new for you?
@radiolysis @willbill
Pulled a cork on the '14 last night.
Not a huge fan of Gamay in general, but for the $$ why not.
Jury still out for me if it’s a keeper or a gifter.