Crus du Beaujolais, 2018

Domaine Sancy AOP Chenas
Thomas Broyer has just over one hectare of very old vines on the plateau of Chénas facing directly south and planted over 90 years ago. Tasted as an unfinished sample from tank, Thomas’s 2018 Chénas is deep purple in colour. It is smooth and round with fresh apple and black cherry flavours with a supple finish. Chénas is the smallest of the ten Crus.

Domaine Sancy AOP Julienas
Domaine Sancy winery is located in Juliénas and this is where the majority of their vineyards are situated, with 7.5 hectares aged between 40 and 60 years. Vines are planted mid slope facing south on soils composed of schists and granite with veins of clay. Fuller bodied than the Chénas, it has aromas of white pepper with red cherries. On the palate it has floral notes with bitter cherries and a firm structure.

Domaine Sancy AOP Saint-Amour
The northernmost of the ten Crus, Thomas has just 42 ares (0.42 hectares) in Saint-Amour. The 60-year-old vines grow on clay granite and schist soils with a large amount of brown ochre stones. Made in much the same way as the Chénas and Juliénas – grapes were picked by hand and fermented in tank for 10 to 12 days followed by maturation in tank for six months – the wine is medium bodied with flavours of nuts and cherries and some firm tannins on the finish.