Antoine Sunier Régnié '23

Antonie Sunier established his domaine in 2014, and he produces wine in Régnié, promoted to Beaujolais cru status in 1988, and Morgon. (He is the younger brother of Julien Sunier, another top domain in Beaujolais.) The Régnié bottling comes from 2.7 hectares of land in the lieux-dits of Les Forchets, Le Potet, and Montmerond, with an average vine age of 45 years. The vineyards are farmed organically, and the fruit is manually harvested, with sorting of the bunches in the vineyard.

As is traditional in the region, the wine undergoes carbonic maceration in a closed vat, with whole clusters (no destemming) and indigenous yeasts for 8 to 15 days. After pressing, the juice flows via gravity to used Burgundy barrels (at least eight year in age) and epoxy-lined concrete tanks. The wine is matured for 7–8 months, then bottled without fining or filtration.

The Régnié bottling shows bright notes of dark cherry, strawberry, violets, black tea, and savory herbs, with more earth and mushroom on the finish. Medium-bodied on the palate, with a great balance of juicy and savory flavors balanced by bright acidity and gritty, moderate tannins. This wine shines alongside a dish of classic roasted chicken and potatoes, and it pairs as well with pizza, burgers, or roasted fish.