Château Grange Cochard Le Plateau 2021

Château Grange Cochard is a restored estate in Morgon, one of the ten Beaujolais crus, where Jean-Philippe Manchès farms eight hectares with the aim of showing off its terroir. Le Plateau comes from the higher, sandier granite soils of the appellation, which give a more perfumed, elegant style of Gamay than the estate's denser plots. Beaujolais is defined by its granite bedrock and its Gamay grape, and many producers use whole-bunch or semi-carbonic fermentation, a method that ferments the fruit inside intact berries to draw out bright red fruit, floral aromatics and supple, low tannins. The wine then spends ten months in oak, which rounds it gently without dominating the fresh fruit. Expect a bright ruby colour, a nose of fresh red berries, cherry and violet lifted by subtle black pepper, and a light to medium palate with juicy acidity, soft tannins and an earthy, mineral finish. This is a red that can take a light chill. Serve at 13 to 15 degrees, with poultry, charcuterie or lighter meat dishes.