Domaine Thillardon ‘les Blemonts’ Chenas, Beaujolais, France 2018
A wonderful expression of Gamay- delicate raspberry and cherry fruit, crisp acidity and fine, supple tannins.
What might be considered a start-up, and possibly an up-start, this vineyard began life in 2008 at the hand of Paul-Henri Thillardon, with his brother, Charles, now part of the team.
Located between the villages Julienas and Moulin-a-Vent, Chenas is one of the lesser known Cru Villages of Beaujolais, a sleeper village by comparison but perhaps not for long. Paul-Henri embraces biodynamic farming and natural winemaking and his judicious use of semi-carbonic maceration (where whole clusters of grapes are partially fermented in a carbon-dioxide enriched environment prior to fermentation) gives that Beaujolais fruity character, but in Paul-Henri’s hands, with an added ‘serious’ tone, avoiding that frivolous bubble gum character that can happen at the hands of others.
The Les Blemonts is a delightful combination of red berries, think raspberries, strawberries and cherries, with a leathery, mushroom earthiness to give it that ‘serious’ element. Neither frivolous nor complex this is a deliciously easy yet rewarding wine.
