Chénas (Red) 2019

A 100% Gamay cuvée from the Beaujolais Cru of Chénas. Aromas of red cherries, black plum and spices. Supple tannins and a soft texture but lots of depth. A surprisingly lingering finish for Gamay.

Anthony Thévenet is of the rising stars of Beaujolais, and his wines are gathering global acclaim from even those usually skeptical of the region. Chénas is the smallest of the ten Beaujolais crus, in the far north, and is named after the forest of French oaks (chêne) that formerly covered the area. Anthony’s softly sloping parcel has deep pink granite sand and gravel soils, which create aromatic wines with intensity and depth and rose notes. This plot contains two generations of vines– younger vines are used for this cuvée. These parcels were added in 2017, converted to organic and are worked by hand by Anthony and his father.

Vinification: Grapes grown on soils of decomposed granite and white quartz. Grapes are hand-harvested and undergo whole bunch carbonic maceration for 15 days with no sulphites or yeasts added. Fermentation in controlled temperature vats with no lees stirring and total malolactic fermentation. Aged for 7 months in old oak barrels. There is no fining or filtration.

Match it with: Roast chicken, game hen, terrines, mild cheeses.