Domaine Les Roches Bleues "La Croquante" Gamay, Brouilly '24

Jonathan Buisson and Chloë, his wife, are third-generation artisan producers in southern Beaujolais. Although technically part of Burgundy and located just south of the famed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay mecca of the world, Beaujolais is quite different and makes its own unique wines. They farm ten hectares of estate gamay vines with organic and regenerative agricultural methods and use agroforestry techniques as well. In an idyllic setting at the foot of the majestic Mont Brouilly, the growing conditions at the domaine are exceptional, with the famous pierre bleue (diorite, a hard, blue-hued igneous rock typical of Côte de Brouilly) contributing to the energy, structure, and freshness of the wines made here.

“La Croquante” is the entry point into Jonathan’s range. This cuvée is made in a soft, easy-drinking (aka glouglou), completely charming style. It is made from 25-to-60-year-old Gamay vines planted on the pink granite soils of Brouilly. Vinification includes eight days of whole-cluster, semi-carbonic maceration, followed by a very gentle and slow pressing using the château’s old, wooden vertical press. The must is transferred into temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, where fermentation continues with native yeasts. After racking, the wine spends eight months in 50-year-old foudres before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

The name of this cuvée translates to “crunchy” in English, and this energy and texture of the wine lives up to the name. Incredibly bright aromatics that combine fresh cherry and strawberry notes, alongside hints of violets and white pepper. The texture is soft, juicy and yes crunchy! A great food wine, pair it with something fattier like seared duck breast or grilled salmon.