Jean-Marc originally hails from Lantignié, where he has 4.5 hectares of Beaujolais Villages vineyards. His wife, Christine, is from Morgon, and the domaine’s 11.5 hectares of Morgon vines were inherited from her side of the family. “My father used to tell me that Lantignié produced the best Beaujolais, but when I first met Christine, her father opened a 20-plus-year-old bottle of ‘Côte du Py’ for me and that opened my eyes to the potential of Beaujolais,” Jean-Marc explains. Today, Jean-Marc’s domaine comprises 18 hectares of vineyards across three appellations. According to Jean-Marc, a good Beaujolais must be made from ripe grapes to ensure mature tannins. Maceration needs to be undertaken for just long enough to extract these tannins without also extracting any bitter, green flavours. As a result, his fermenting wine must be tasted daily to judge when the tannin level is right.

Jean-Marc’s Beaujolais Lantignié is a masterclass in balance, defined by red fruits, alongside a fleshy palate, with fine, grainy tannins and lifted perfumes. “Judge a domaine on its entry point wine,” says Jean-Marc. “I do as much work in the vineyard and cellar on this wine as I do on my Côte du Py.” é is deep ruby in the glass. The nose boasts bright aromas of crunchy red fruits and violets. On the palate, this wine has superb structure, with grainy tannins, concentrated red fruit flavours and a racy acidity that lifts the finish.

Grape: Gamay

Region: Beaujolais

Country: France

ABV: 12.5%

Vintage: 2022