Château de la Chaize : Lieu-dit "La Madone" 2020

Tasting notes and serving tips for the Lieu-dit "La Madone" 2020 from Château de La Chaize

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a bright ruby-red hue with violet highlights.

Nose

The nose opens on a complex, elegant bouquet, revealing aromas of fresh red berries accompanied by floral notes of dried rose and violet. Hints of citrus and a mineral touch of graphite complete this refined aromatic palette.

Palate

On the palate, the wine stands out for its harmonious balance between structure and suppleness. Red fruit flavors unfold with elegance, supported by fine, vibrant tannins. Both fresh and lingering, the finish reflects the concentration and complexity of this cuvée.

Food and wine pairings

This Fleurie is an ideal match for poultry in cream sauce, duck breast, or pheasant. It also pairs beautifully with fine cured meats, terrines, as well as vegetarian dishes such as ratatouille. Fresh cheeses such as goat cheese, brie, or Saint-Marcellin also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

The Lieu-dit "La Madone" 2020 is best enjoyed at a temperature of 15°C. About 30 minutes of aeration in a decanter allows the wine to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. This age-worthy wine can be enjoyed through around 2030.

An outstanding Fleurie from a prestigious Beaujolais climat

The estate

Founded in the 1670s in Odenas, in the heart of Beaujolais, the Château de La Chaize is a vast family estate that became, in 2017, the property of Christophe Gruy. In a single contiguous holding (400–450 ha), it brings together 150 ha of vineyards—mainly gamay (140 ha) and chardonnay (10 ha)—across Brouilly, Côte de Brouilly, Fleurie and Morgon, vinified on a parcel-by-parcel basis (23 lieux-dits). Its key asset: a listed heritage site and a historic 108 m cellar, complemented since 2017 by a transition to organic farming and agroecology.

The vineyard

The La Madone parcel covers 1.9 hectares within the Fleurie appellation, in the immediate vicinity of the Chapelle de la Madone, at around 425 meters above sea level. This climat, considered one of Fleurie’s most remarkable, benefits from an ideal east-facing exposure and sits on sandy, rocky soils composed of granite and lamprophyre. The vines, averaging 70 years of age, naturally produce low yields, promoting concentration and complexity in the grapes.

The vintage

The year 2020 in Beaujolais was marked by a mild winter followed by a changeable spring. Summer proved hot and sunny with periods of drought, allowing for optimal ripening of the grapes. Harvest took place under favorable conditions, giving rise to concentrated, well-balanced wines.

Winemaking and aging

The Lieu-dit "La Madone" 2020 is produced from hand-harvested grapes. Vinification includes 90% destemmed fruit and 10% whole clusters. Maceration lasts 14 days in concrete and stainless-steel tanks, with pump-overs and rack-and-returns, without punch-downs. Aging takes place for 15 months in foudres, allowing subtle oak integration while preserving the finesse of gamay.

Grape variety

100% gamay.