Du Grappin Saint-Amour 2021

Andrew and Emma Nielsen founded Le Grappin in Burgundy in 2011, and this Saint-Amour comes from the northern end of Beaujolais, where Gamay is the sole grape. Saint-Amour sits on granite and clay-limestone soils, and the granitic base gives Gamay its lifted red-fruit perfume and light, fresh structure. The growing season here is cool enough to keep the wine at a modest 13% alcohol, with crisp acidity and supple tannins. It is made in a natural style with minimal intervention and spends nine months in oak barrels, which rounds the texture through slow oxygen exchange while keeping the emphasis on bright fruit rather than wood. The colour is a bright ruby. The nose is built on fresh raspberry and red cherry with a clear floral, violet lift. The palate is light to medium bodied, juicy and fresh, the tannins soft and the finish clean and fruity. This is Gamay in its open, gluggable register. Serve at 13 to 14 degrees, lightly chilled, which suits the style well. It is versatile at the table and good with lighter meats and charcuterie.