Chénas Vieilles Vignes 2010, Croix Barraud

Snuggled in between Juliénas and Moulin-a-Vent, Chénas is the smallest of the Beaujolais Crus and produces excellent wines. Traditionally the scent of wild roses can be found in Chénas but, I am afraid, not for me in this particular wine! Instead there are dark, earthy aromas with strong red and black cherries dominating this dark, ruby wine. There is far more body than you might expect and quite strong tannins which give this wine a real punch. The aromas carry into the flavour with easy assurance, creating a well-rounded wine with excellent balance.

Ben says of the 2010 (October 2018): The notes above capture the salient points of this wine very well but cannot capture the feelings that it evokes within. This is a wine that makes you laugh out loud with delight, a wine for sharing and for hoarding, a wine for happiness and also perfect for sorrow drowning. Franck Bessone is a master and this is just one of his inspiring creations.