2016 Château La Grange Cochard Morgon Vieilles Vignes Organic, Beaujolais

From 40-70 year old vines grown on ancient stony-clay decomposed granite alluvial soils just across the road from the Château. Vinification of whole bunches, followed by a 2-3 week fermentation and maturation in old 3000 litre foudres. Elegant and fresh and pure, never heavy.

Château Grange Cochard’s 2016 Morgon Vieilles Vignes has blossomed beautifully since I last tasted it during my visit to the estate last March. The wine is pure and nicely sappy in its sophisticated bouquet of black cherries, blackberries, a fine base of soil elements, bitter chocolate, that same touch of juniper berry I found last year and a topnote of bonfires. On the palate the wine is pure, focused, full-bodied and sports excellent mid-palate depth, with still a bit of backend tannin (this is a proper Morgon for aging after all!), good acids and excellent balance and grip on the long and complex finish. Fine, fine juice. 2019-2040.

 

Lurid ruby. Vibrant black raspberry, cherry and violet scents, along with suggestions of licorice, smoky minerals and earth. Concentrated yet lithe and precise, offering bitter cherry, red/dark berry and spicecake flavors braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Silky, even tannins shape the finish, which hangs on with strong persistence and resonating florality.

A worthy successor to the excellent 2015, though cut from more classical cloth, the 2016 Morgon Vieilles Vignes offers up appealing aromas of Griotte cherry, raw cocoa and candied peel. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, glossy and pure, with tangy acids, melting tannins and a concentrated core of fruit. Drink 2018-2026.