Louis-Claude Desvignes Morgon La Voute Saint Vincent 2022

Domaine Louis-Claude Desvignes is a family estate in Villié-Morgon dating back to 1700, now run by Louis-Benoît and Claude-Emmanuelle Desvignes, known for concentrated wines from the Morgon cru of Beaujolais. La Voûte Saint Vincent is their Gamay from Morgon, one of the firmest of the Beaujolais crus. The heart of Morgon is the Côte du Py, a slope of decomposed schist rich in iron oxide, locally called roche pourrie, which gives the wine its depth, minerality and capacity to age beyond the region's lighter reputation. The climate is semi-continental, warm enough to ripen Gamay fully while keeping fresh acidity. Vinification follows the Beaujolais tradition of whole-bunch, semi-carbonic fermentation, which lifts the fruit and softens the tannins, and the wine is then aged in barrel to add structure and gentle spice. The colour is a deep ruby. The nose shows dark cherry, red berries and plum, with black pepper, crushed stone and a faintly smoky, earthy note. The palate is medium bodied and structured for a Gamay, the tannins ripe, the acidity bright through a mineral finish. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees. It suits roast poultry, pork and mushroom dishes.