Fleurie Noli Me Tangere, Domaine Jules Desjourneys 2019

A blend of Les Moriers and La Chapelle des Bois, the extraordinary 2019 Fleurie noli me tangere soars from the glass with a striking bouquet of peonies, rose petals, sweet red berries, cherries, licorice, plums and blood orange. Full-bodied, racy and intensely saline, Deperray's Fleurie is all energy and ethereality—in contrast to the texture and sensuality of the Moulin-à-Vent Les Michelons. Framed by beautifully powdery tannins and lively acids, it is a striking wine that will be worth a special effort to seek out, when it is eventually released. Drinking window: 2027-2055.

A little more sombre red crimson, this Fleurie seems to show some oak which there is not. A generous rounded interpretation of Fleurie in its velvet pantaloons. This last cuvée arose after a well lubricated discussion with noted French wine critic, Michel Bettane. Drink from 2024-2027.