Château des Bachelards : Le Clos des Bachelards Monopole 2020

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Le Clos des Bachelards Monopole 2020 Château des Bachelards

Tasting

Colour
A deep garnet hue, almost black, this wine reveals a beautiful visual concentration.

Nose
Initially reserved, the bouquet opens up with aeration to reveal intense floral aromas of violet, peony and red rose. It then becomes more complex with spicy notes of black pepper, clove and liquorice, complemented by touches of pomegranate, bay leaf and a subtle woodiness in its youth.

Palate
The attack is full and voluminous, offering concentrated fruit and an exceptionally silky texture. The mid-palate seduces with its depth and finely velvety tannins. The remarkably long finish stretches out on a wave of minerality reminiscent of wet stone.

Food and wine pairing

This wine elevates an organic lentil stew with foie gras, veal sweetbreads in cream sauce, or a poached Bresse chicken. It also pairs beautifully with a wood-fired grilled ribeye, dishes seasoned with black pepper, wild mushrooms, or delicate fish served with a rich sauce.

Service and storage

This Le Clos des Bachelards Monopole 2020 reveals its full potential after a few years in the cellar. Ideal to drink from 2025, it is built for very long-term aging and can evolve gracefully until around 2060.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content of 13.5%.

The complexity and finesse of a Fleurie wine

The estate

Founded around 1100 by Benedictine monks from the abbey of Cluny, Château des Bachelards is a historic estate located in Beaujolais. After being preserved by the Platet family for over two centuries, the estate underwent a major revival under the guidance of Alexandra de Vazeilles, who converted it to biodynamic farming. Since 2022, Matthieu Gufflet has been the current owner of this winemaking jewel. Under the direction of Sandrine Garbay, the estate continues to produce wines of great precision, reflecting the unique identity of its centuries-old terroirs.

The vineyard

Located within the Fleurie appellation, the monopole's vineyard spans 1.8 hectares, entirely enclosed by stone walls erected nearly a thousand years ago. The Gamay vines, aged between 70 and 100 years and derived from massale selection, are planted at a very high density of 10,000 vines per hectare. The terroir is distinguished by a unique geology combining pink granite and rare blue clays, found nowhere else in the region. The estate is certified organic and biodynamic, incorporating agroforestry, permaculture and eco-grazing with sheep to preserve biodiversity.

The vintage

The year 2020 stood out for a particularly warm growing season, ranking among the most summery in recent history, allowing the berries to reach optimal concentration and ripeness.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes are harvested by hand with rigorous sorting. They are received by gravity to preserve their integrity. Breaking with regional traditions, the vinification of the Le Clos des Bachelards Monopole 2020 forgoes carbonic maceration and thermovinification in favour of long maceration periods. Aging then takes place in large wooden vessels, under the guidance of oenologist Stéphane Derenoncourt.

Grape variety

100% Gamay