Louis Latour Chénas 2023 is a red Beaujolais made from Gamay in Chénas, one of Beaujolais' crus. The grapes grow on south-facing slopes with pink schistous granite, where plenty of sun helps Gamay become fully ripe and aromatic. This wine combines ripe red fruit, raspberry, blueberry, cherry, fresh acidity, and a fine velvety finish.
Chénas is a small cru in Beaujolais, where Gamay can achieve a riper and more structured style than in many lighter Beaujolais wines.
• Location / Origin: Chénas belongs to the Crus du Beaujolais, the village appellations that stand above the broader Beaujolais appellations. What is Chénas? Chénas is a cru of Beaujolais, known for red wines made from Gamay with fruit, structure, and a soft, spicy depth.
• <strong data-start="862" data="end="876">Exposure: The vineyards are located on south-facing slopes. This provides the grapes with plenty of sun, which helps to achieve maximum ripeness and a full fruit expression.
<p data-start="1043" data="end="1236">• <strong data-start="1045" data="end="1055">Soil: The vines grow on pink schistous granite. This soil warms up well, ensures good drainage, and contributes to the wine's fresh, fruity, and slightly mineral tension. <p data-start="1238" data="end="1448">• <strong data-start="1240" data="end="1262">Vineyard & Harvest: The vines are on average 30 years old, and the yield is around 45 hl per hectare. The grapes are harvested by hand, allowing the delicate Gamay fruit to be processed carefully. <p data-start="1450" data="end="1613">• <strong data-start="1452" data="end="1469">Name Origin: Chénas comes from “chênaie”, a forest dominated by oak trees. This historical reference gives the name of this cru extra character. <h2 data-section-id="9tra1w" data-start="1615" data="end="1638">Grape Composition <p data-start="1640" data="end="1694">This red Beaujolais is made entirely from Gamay. <p data-start="1696" data="end="1929">• <strong data-start="1698" data="end="1717">Gamay – Chénas: Gamay gives this wine its juicy red fruit, floral fragrance, soft tannins, and lively acidity. In Chénas, due to the sunny slopes and granite-rich soil, the grape gains extra ripeness, body, and structure. <h2 data-section-id="1nispz6" data-start="1931" data="end="1956">Vinification and Aging <p data-start="1958" data="end="2049">The vinification aims for fruitiness, fragrance, and a supple structure with sufficient grip. <p data-start="2051" data="end="2236">• <strong data-start="2053" data="end="2068">Fermentation: The wine is traditionally fermented in open vats, with whole grape bunches. This method is well-suited to Gamay and helps to retain much fruit, aroma, and soft tannins. <p data-start="2238" data="end="2420">• <strong data-start="2240" data="end="2252">Aging: The wine ages for 10–12 months in stainless steel tanks. This ensures that raspberry, blueberry, cherry, and the fresh fruit expression remain brightly present, without the influence of wood. <p data-start="2422" data="end="2623">• <strong data-start="2424" data="end="2445">Aging Potential: This Chénas has an aging potential of 2–3 years. This suits its fruity style, but the structure and tannins give the wine enough foundation to develop further for a short period. <h2 data-section-id="1kwabyh" data-start="2625" data="end="2656">Tasting Notes and Serving Suggestions <p data-start="2658" data="end="2915">In the glass, Louis Latour Chénas 2023 has a beautiful, intense color. The aroma is expressive and persistent, with red fruit, raspberry, and blueberry. The taste is full, harmonious, and well-structured, with present tannins and a fine velvety finish. <p data-start="2917" data="end="3052">• <strong data-start="2919" data="end="2942">Serving Temperature: Serve this Chénas at 13–15 °C, so that the red fruit, fresh acidity, and soft tannins come together beautifully. <p data-start="3054" data="end="3127">• <strong data-start="3056" data="end="3070">Dishes: Delicious with charcuterie, grilled meats, and aged cheeses. <h2 data-section-id="14kb3ee" data-start="3129" data="end="3172">More Information about Maison Louis Latour <p data-start="3174" data="end="3633">Maison Louis Latour was founded in 1797 and belongs to the historic family houses of Burgundy. In addition to its famous Burgundies of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the house also produces wines from Beaujolais, where Gamay on granite-rich soils achieves a very unique expression. Chénas shows the serious side of Beaujolais, with more structure and depth than a simple fruity red wine, but still with the elegant, pure style that is characteristic of Louis Latour.
