2016 Coudert, Clos de la Roilette, Fleurie, Griffe du Marquis

Alain Coudert’s approach at Clos de la Roilette centers on preserving the inherent density provided by his distinct terroir through traditional, minimal-intervention viticulture and technical precision. Located on the border of Moulin-à-Vent, the site’s soil composition—defined by heavy clay and manganese rather than the typical pink granite of Fleurie—directly dictates the wine’s structural foundation. For the *Griffe du Marquis*, fruit from the estate’s oldest vines undergoes spontaneous, whole-cluster, semi-carbonic fermentation in concrete vats with a submerged cap, followed by an extended aging regimen in barriques. The 2016 vintage, characterized by a classic growing season, provided the necessary balance of tension and physiological ripeness to define the wine's architectural profile. The result is a Gamay of marked concentration, featuring fine-grained, persistent tannins and a resonant, structured mid-palate that demands time to resolve.