2019 Domaine Saint-Cyr Chénas "Les Blemonts", Beaujolais, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

Chénas has historically been an overlooked appellation, but Raphael Saint Cyr intends to help change that. Les Blémonts vineyard is located in the center of Chénas. Raphael purchased this vineyard at the same time as his friend Paul-Henri Thillardon bought the neighboring parcel, so together they have a nearly 5-hectare block of organically farmed vines.

The vines were planted in the 1920s and 1970s. The must was vinified using cold carbonic fermentation with only native yeasts. The wine was aged in 50% barrels and 50% in concrete tanks.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Raphael Saint-Cyr is the fourth generation vigneron at the Domaine Saint-Cyr, which was created by his great-grandfather Pierre Saint-Cyr. The estate is located in Anse, found at the southern edge of the Beaujolais. When Raphael took over the winemaking in 2008, he let go of a large portion of Beaujolais vines around the winery and acquired vines further north in the crus of Morgon, Regnié, Chénas, and Moulin-à-Vent. Having seen his grandfather and uncle get sick from the chemicals used to treat their vines, Raphael was immediately convinced to convert the entire 23 hectare domaine to certified organic viticulture, making Domaine Saint Cyr one of the largest organic domaines in the Beaujolais.