A step further towards Beaujolais … Domaine Thillardon

As mentioned I have started to take an interest to Beaujolais. And I will therefore try to present interesting wines from this region from time to time.

The wines of Beaujolais can offer delightful drinking if made in the right way, and they are often more affordable than wines from the main part of Burgundy.

The wines of Beaujolais are not cheap – but they are at least a bit easier to acquire than the very thought after Burgundies.

One such producer is Domaine Thillardon in Chenas. The estate is owned by Paul-Henry Thillardon and his brother Richard Thillardon. The estate is located in Chénas and is certified organic – and have biodynamic ambitions. The use of sulphur seems moderate and the wines are not filtered. The estate is now around 12 ha … and they make a range of different Beaujolais ….

For the Beaujolais ignorants like me .. Chénas is one of the 10 Beaujolais crus … one of the nothern to be more precise.

Floral, lightfooted and delicate

Domaine Thillardon have changed the vinification from 2015 and now practices whole-cluster cool semi-carbonic fermentation as Pacalet and the late Marcel Lapierre.

I tasted the Chénas “Les Carrières” 2016 … and this is a delightful and very enjoyable wine.

The Domaine Thillardon, Chénas Les Carrières” 2016 is a delightfully expressive wine. The nose offer variations of mainly red fruits and berries – spiced with cinnamon and all spice – organic with a typical low sulphur – whole cluster style. On the palate lightfooted as indicated by the color – fine intensity though – very juicy and vibrant. Enjoyable, and organic with a fine transparent style.

(Drink from Now) – Very Good – (86 – 87p) – Tasted 13/04/2018

One could say that it’s unfair to rate the Beaujolais on the same scale as a Burgundy grand cru – but this is how I do it. We all know that a Beaujolais can be delightful – yet it should not be able to match the complexity of a great grand cru – hence a lower rating must be expected.

But please note – I really enjoyed this wine .. I do from time to time drink other wines than Grand Crus from Vosne-Romanée.