Nicolas Chemarin Regnie La Haute Ronze 2021

Nicolas Chemarin works the family estate at Marchampt in Beaujolais, farming old Gamay vines biodynamically and making wine with minimal intervention. This Régnié, from one of the ten Beaujolais crus, comes from vines planted on the stony, granite-based soils that the cru shares with neighbouring Morgon and Brouilly, the well-drained ground giving fruit of surprising depth and minerality. The continental climate, with warm days and cool nights, holds the bright acidity that keeps the wine fresh. This is a natural style, fermented and aged for six months in old wooden vats rather than new barrels, so there is no oak flavour to mask the fruit; the older wood allows a slow, gentle exchange of oxygen that softens the tannins while keeping the wine pure and direct. The colour is bright, light ruby. The nose leads with red berries and fresh cherry over crushed stone, red currant and a savoury, earthy note. The palate is fresh and mineral, with soft tannins, lively acidity and a clean, stony finish. Serve lightly cool at 13 to 15 degrees with roast pork, poultry, charcuterie or a mushroom dish.