Domaine de Colette, Morgon, Beaujolais, France, 2022

Producer Profile

Domaine de Colette is located in the heart of the Crus du Beaujolais, in the charming village of Lantignié – regarded by many as the premium village in the cru of Regnié.

Run by the humble Jacky Gauthier, it was founded by his father René. Jacky studied oenology at the tender age of 17 and immediately started working with his father in the vineyards. Today he is joined by his son Pierre-Alexandre, whose invigorating youthful enthusiasm has seen a further move to full organic practices and adoption of France’s new sustainability certification in line with the family’s philosophy of ‘terroir is their true wealth’. The vineyards are home to vines averaging 45 years of age, but one plot, called Colette, averages over 80 years. For visitors, the views from the cellar and reception room are nothing short of exceptional, extending across the rolling Beaujolais vineyards and the Saône Valley to the Alps, where Mont Blanc is visible on a clear day.

Viticulture

Concerned with preserving their terroirs, which they regard as their true wealth, they have been practicing sustainable farming for many years, and were pioneers of permanent grassing and the ban of chemical fertilisers on their vineyards. Pierre-Alexandre quickly adopted the practices laid out by Haute Valeur Environnementale, a stricter practice than Lutte Raisonnée, achieving HVE Level 3, and started the work towards full conversion to organic farming. Soils are granitic and the bush-trained vines average 45 years old. The harvest is carried out by hand with yields never exceeding 45 hl per ha.

Tasting Note

This light red wine has plentiful red fruit aromas, cherries and raspberries. Its is fleshy and soft with juicy fruit and a lively acidity. The supple tannins are ripe and light, the finish is silky and persistent.

Food Matching

Makes the perfect partner for Red meat, carpaccio of beef, fillet of duck, game, matured cheeses.