Julien Guillot Mâcon Cruzille Cuvée Manganite 2022

Clos des Vignes du Mayne sits in Cruzille, a village to the north of Mâcon in southern Burgundy, where the Guillot family has farmed without chemicals since 1952. The vineyards trace back to plots first planted by Cluny monks in the 10th century. Cuvée Manganite is a Gamay grown on the limestone and clay soils typical of the Mâconnais, where the cool nights of the slope preserve acidity and keep the fruit fresh rather than jammy. Farming is biodynamic and the winemaking is natural, with native yeasts and little added sulphur, so the wine reflects vintage and site closely. After fermentation it ages 12 months in used French oak, old enough to soften the wine through slow oxygen exchange without adding obvious wood flavour. The colour is bright ruby. The nose leads with tart cherry and redcurrant, with rose, dried thyme and a savoury, earthy undertone. The palate is light to medium bodied, with fresh acidity, fine tannins and a peppery, mineral finish. Serve at 14 to 15 degrees, with no need to decant. It works well with charcuterie, roast chicken and mushroom dishes.