Yvon Métras ist einer der Großmeister im französischen Beaujolais
In a small French community in 1989, a wine journey began that would turn back time. Yvon Métras took over the family estate in Fleurie and joined the "band of disciples" of Jules Chauvet, a scientist and advocate of the natural wine movement that originated in Beaujolais. Initially condemned by a mentor, Yvon Metras became increasingly radical and today clearly stands out from his colleagues in the Lapierre-Néauport circle. For one thing, he is the only one who comes from Fleurie. Today, Yvon Metras produces outstanding Gamay's of world renown and looks back on a history of passion and innovation. Among other things, he was the mentor for Julie Balagny.
By avoiding modern corrections, laboratory yeasts and added sulphur, he produces expressive natural wines that reflect the terroir in its purest form. A winemaker who not only produces one of the best Gamay's in the region, but also carries on the heritage of natural wine.
World-famous natural wines: Yvon Metras produces dark-bred Gamay's
On the 5 hectares of Fleurie vineyards, Yvon Metras cultivates two of the best sites in the appellation, La Madone and Grille-Midi. His "simple" Beaujolais is located in a high-altitude, high-yielding site called Cercillon. By pruning the vines precisely and short, yields are greatly reduced and the grapes more intense to authentically reflect the terroir.
Ploughing the steep granite slopes, an arduous task, meant that many vineyards were abandoned and lay fallow. It required the pioneering spirit of innovative people who recognised and wanted to exploit the untapped potential of this region. Yvon's unsulphurised Gamay wines, initially difficult to market, finally made their breakthrough in 1994. His top wines, such as the "Ultime" and the "Fleurie Printemps", serve as vivid examples of this wine metamorphosis. The estate's oldest vines were planted back in 1898, and Yvon has been refining the art of winemaking with his son Jules ever since.
Die Metras Weine sind geprägt von großzügiger Frucht, Konzentration und Länge
Die Métras verwenden eine motorisierte Vertikalpresse und pressen im Laufe eines Tages. Die Weine reifen in gebrauchten Eichenfässern, zum Teil in einem Keller in Yvons Haus im Wald in der Nähe von Vauxrenard.
Seine Weine, geprägt von einer dunklen Farbe, großzügiger Frucht- und Fleischigkeit und subtilen Noten von Tabak, Pfeffer, Sinnlichkeit und Samt, variieren in ihrer Konzentration und Länge. Yvon setzt dabei auf eine lange Mazeration von einem Monat. Das unverkennbare Markenzeichen der Metras-Weine? Unglaubliche Rasse und Eleganz.
