Critics reviews
Neal Martin - 31/08/2016
About this WINE
Domaine Chignard
Cédric Chignard is now at the helm of this estate, although he can rely on his father Michel (who lives at the domaine) for sage advice. The family’s eight hectares of vines are situated right at the top of the hill bordering Moulin-à-Vent, on pure granitic soil in the heart of the Fleurie appellation. The Moriers lieu-dit is home to their oldest vines, some of which are over 40 years old and all of which are free-standing in traditional gobelet style.
Vinification is divided between stainless steel, cement and large wooden tanks, all using the classic whole-bunch method for the maximum extraction of fruit. The subtly differing cuvées are then blended early in the spring and allowed to harmonise over three to four months.
In the same vein as his father’s wines, Cédric's Fleuries are unusually concentrated, intensely aromatic and have a depth of fruit and structure seldom found in wines from this village.
Gamay
A French variety planted predominately in Beaujolais where it is the grape behind everything from light and often acidic Beaujolais Nouveau through to the more serious and well-structured wines from the 10 cru villages. It takes its name from a hamlet just outside Chassagne-Montrachet and was at one stage widely planted on the Côte d`Or. However it was gradually phased out due to its poor yield and supposed poor quality of its wines.
The majority of Gamay wines in Beaujolais are labelled as Beaujolais or Beaujolais-Villages and are deliciously juicy, easy drinking, gulpable wines. Of more interest are the Cru wines from the 10 villages in the north of the region where the soil is predominantly granitic schist and where the vines are planted on gently undulating slopes. These can be well-structured, intensely perfumed wines, redolent of ripe black fruits and, while delicious young, will reward medium term cellaring.
Gamay is also grown in the Touraine region of the Loire where it produces soft, well-balanced, gluggable wines for drinking young.
Buying options
Add to wishlist
Description
The nose of summer pudding and violets is classic Fleurie. The palate is even more impressive, with flavours of ripe red berries, mulberry (aptly, this vineyard is named after the mulberry trees which once grew here) and a mineral note I’d describe as ‘cherry stone.’ Les Moriers lies on the border of Fleurie and Moulin-à-Vent, which accounts for it’s structure – lithe but with some of the muscle we expect from the latter appellation.
Like many of the best wines of Beaujolais, Les Moriers is light-hearted, quaffable, yet complex and fine, not to mention age-worthy. Drink now to 2022.
Will Heslop - Wine Buyer
wine at a glance
Delivery and quality guarantee