2019 Louis Jadot Chateau Des Jacques Morgon

Chateau des Jacques, located in the village of Romananeche-Thorins in the Moulin-a-Vent appellation, was acquired by Maison Louis Jadot in 1996. The estate includes 196 acres in Moulin-a-Vent and Morgon. Guillaume de Castelnau is the winemaker. Chateau des Jacques was the first Beaujolais producer to be acquired by a major Burgundy maison, and working with the legendary Jacques Lardiere at Maison Louis Jadot, de Castelnau applied Burgundian winemaking methods to his Beaujolais cru wines, notably raising the bar for Beaujolais wines. Maison Louis Jadot is one of Burgundy’s most respected negociants. Founded in 1859 by the Jadot family, the prestige and quality of the estate’s wines were well established in the 19th century. In 1985 the estate was sold to Rudy Kopf, Jadot’s American importer. Long-time Jadot winemaker Jacques Lardiere, who retired in 2012, was legendary for his skill and attention to perfection, and he set a very high standard for winemaking at Jadot.

Morgon is considered one of the finest of the Beaujolais Cru appellations. It is also the second largest with 2,717 acres of vineyards. The appellation is in central Beaujolais south of Fleurie and is centered around Mont du Py, whose Côte du Py granite hillsides are home to some of the best Morgon vineyards. The Gamays made in Morgon are full-bodied and concentrated but less fruity than other Beaujolais Crus. Morgons are also known for their ability to age, unlike some other Beaujolais. The alcohol content is often relatively high and in some vintages the wines approach 14% alcohol. About 700,000 cases are produced annually.

The Gamay grape produces a light, versatile and food-friendly wine. It is best known for making Beaujolais Nouveau, but it is also grown in Loire and Tours. Thankfully the 14th C. Duke of Burgundy’s degree to ban the grape did not spread through all of France.