Chénas "”Vieilles Vignes” (Red) 2018

A 100% Gamay from old vines in the Beaujolais Cru of Chénas. Intense aromas of blueberry and violet, with red fruit, white pepper and hints of sage on the palate. Lots of depth and a long finish exemplify the quality possible from this Cru. Thévent says this wine could pass as a Pinot Noir Burgundy a blind tasting, and we agree.

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– the historic old vines are used for this Chénas Vieilles Vignes. These parcels were added in 2017, converted to organic and are worked by hand by Anthony and his father.

Vinification: Grapes from 50 year-old vines on soils of decomposed granite and white quartz. Grapes are hand-harvested, and undergo whole bunch carbonic maceration for 20 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 pork, chicken cassoulet, sausages, aged cheeses.