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Chiroubles 2011, Domaine Cheysson, Beaujolais, France
" Our dear friend Jean-Pierre Large has made a gorgeously bright, fresh, fleshy and succulent Beaujolais literally crammed to bursting point with sweet, ripe black cherry flavours. One of those wines that has the stuffing to be a fireside aperitif in mid-winter but can also be served chilled in the summer. "
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food & wine matching... Pasta - Tomato, Roast Chicken & Fish - Creamy
Red
Save £16.20 a case
Dry Medium Bodied & Fruity
Wine Type... Red WineVintage... 2011Style... Medium Bodied RedsCountry... FranceRegion... BeaujolaisSub Region... ChiroublesGrower Name... Jean-Pierre LargeGrape Variety... GamayABV... 12.5%Closure... Natural Cork
This is a historic estate in Chiroubles (Beaujolais' smallest appellation) which today is owned and run by Jean-Pierre Large, the man who is also responsible for our Fleurie. So impressed were we by his Fleurie that we had to see what else he had to offer, and discovered this delicious wine from one of the most venerable estates in Beaujolais. Old vines, great terroir and one of the most talented winemakers in the region combine to make a wine that is just too good to miss.
Domaine Cheysson
This estate in Beaujolais was established in 1870 by Emile Cheysson, and today makes outstanding Cru Beaujolais under the expert guidance of Jean-Pierre Large. The historic estate is situated at the top of a hill overlooking the Alps and Mont Blanc and its vineyards are at some of the highest altitudes among all Crus Beaujolais. These vineyards are situated on steep slopes of granitic soil, which combined with their exposition affords the domaine its unique terroir over 60 acres of vines.
Domaine Cheysson regularly wins awards in France and is always noted in the Guide Hachette, one of France's most reliable (and comprehensive) wine guides to the best estates in each region. In fact so good is the wine quality at Cheysson now that it recently caught the eye of Robert Parker's man in Beaujolais on tasting the previous 2010 vintage...
The Cheysson 2010 Chiroubles is scented and brightly informed with red currant, wild strawberry, and sour cherry accompanied by their high-toned distilled counterparts. These are then laced with a bite and prickle of horseradish that continues on an otherwise sleek palate and all the way through a refreshing and invigorating finish in which a lick of salt enhances the mouthwatering inclination to take renewed sips. I would plan to savor this Chiroubles over the next 2-3 years, favoring it in its youth.
I finally had the chance to visit Jean-Pierre Large at his dramatically-situated estate (also known as Clos les Farges) high up in Chiroubles, which consists of some hundred separate parcels and whose vaulted cellar dates back to the monks of Cluny. That this appellation is going to be hit by hail -not every year, but certainly every second or third year,- is simply a grim given, says Large. This was also my first opportunity to taste his late-bottled cuvees raised in small (largely American-) oak barrels, but Large's tank-raised basic cuvee (which he refers to but does not label as "Traditionelle") is his most delightful and well as interesting. Given that, I can't help but wonder wistfully what sort of results this grower would achieve if the tiny-berried fruit from the appropriately named Les Roches (source of his La Precieuse Vieilles Vignes bottling) or that of the south-facing Cote Rotie (which informs his La Secrete) were treated to that same pristine, gentle, whole-cluster, relatively cool tank vinification.
David Schildkneckt, erobertparker.com
Beaujolais
Beaujolais is a region in central-eastern France which is famous for its red wines produced from the Gamay grape variety. Most of the wines produced are made using a wine-making technique known as Carbonic Maceration which results in lighter wines than those from many other regions. Generally speaking the wines are early drinking and best drunk when young and fresh, although there is a recent growing trend towards a more concentrated, Burgundian style which can last a little longer.
Beaujolais can be deliciously refreshing compared to many other red wines, with its high, succulent acidity, ripe, primary fruit flavours and soft tannins - indeed, many of the wines can be served chilled and are versatile partners to all manner of foods.
Gamay
Gamay is a French red grape variety which is solely responsible for the wines of Beaujolais in central-eastern France. Its full name is Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc which draws attention to the fact that it is a red grape variety, but has pale flesh and therefore pale juice.
The vine is precocious, budding and ripening early, and is commonly vinified using carbonic maceration - a technique which produces brightly coloured, lighter, softer wines by fermenting whole berries in a carbon dioxide rich environment prior to crushing.
Fleurie 2009, Jean-Pierre Large, Beaujolais, France
" Pure and fresh with expressive cherry fruit on both the nose and palate, this is seductively sensual Fleurie with deliciously mouthwatering fruit, magnificent concentration and impressive length... "
food & wine matching... Roast Chicken, Roast Turkey & Charcuterie
Red
Save £16.20 a case
Light & Fruity
Wine Type... Red WineVintage... 2009Style... Light & Fruity RedsCountry... FranceRegion... BeaujolaisGrower Name... Jean-Pierre LargeGrape Variety... GamayABV... 12.5%Closure... Natural Cork
Moulin-a-Vent 2011, Château de Belleverne, Beaujolais, France
" Strikingly aromatic and ripe on the nose, this has sumptuously sweet fruit on the palate but also great purity and delicacy. A very expressive and immensely impressive wine which shows Beaujolais at its best... "
Save £16.20 a case
Style... Light & Fruity RedsCountry... FranceRegion... BeaujolaisGrape Variety... Gamay
Château de Belleverne, Juliénas, Beaujolais, France 2009
" The ch?teau only made 4,000 bottles of this dark, pure black cherry-edged wine that leaps at you with a wonderful, generous embrace... "
food & wine matching... Charcuterie, Roast Turkey & Salads
Red
Save £15.96 a case
Light & Fruity
Wine Type... Red WineVintage... 2009Style... Light & Fruity RedsCountry... FranceRegion... BeaujolaisGrower Name... Château de BelleverneGrape Variety... GamayABV... 13%
Domaine Grange-Cochard, Morgon Les Charmes, Beaujolais, France 2009
" This ultra silky, deeply plush cherry bomblet is just weapingly lovely. James has extracted a beautifully black cherry skin colour out of the grapes and the nose is all cassis and currants, but, it's the texture of the wine combined with the deepest,... "
food & wine matching... Roast Turkey, Roast Chicken & Roast Pork
Red
Save £21.60 a case
Medium Bodied
Wine Type... Red WineVintage... 2009Style... Medium Bodied RedsCountry... FranceRegion... BeaujolaisGrower Name... Domaine Grange-CochardGrape Variety... GamayABV... 13.5%