Chénas Les Journets Domaine Saint-Cyr 2022

Representing the fourth generation of the family, Raphaël Saint-Cyr took over the estate founded by his grandfather, Pierre Saint-Cyr, in 2008. Located in Anse, in the southern Beaujolais, on the clay-limestone soils of the Pierres Dorées, Raphaël sold some of the estate’s original vineyards in order to acquire new parcels farther north in the crus of Morgon, Régnié, Chénas and Moulin-à-Vent. The estate’s 23 hectares have been converted to organic farming. Natural grass cover is encouraged to provide a refuge for biodiversity and help regulate yields, while since 2020 Raphaël has also been experimenting with horse ploughing. The same spirit of experimentation extends to the winery, where cold carbonic fermentation has been practised since 2019. The wines are vinified with native yeasts, without inputs, no filtration and with only trace amounts of sulphur. Extended ageing on fine lees gives rise to elegant wines of remarkable precision.