Maison J.B Bachevillier 'Lathevalle' Morgon AOC 2023

This wine comes from Les Charmes, a premium lieu-dit in Morgon that's recognised as one of Beaujolais' most serious crus. Unlike lighter Beaujolais styles, Morgon produces wines with genuine structure and ageing potential thanks to its granitic soils and hillside exposure. The old vines here deliver concentrated fruit with firm tannins that give it a Burgundy-like character, making it perfect for those seeking depth beyond typical Beaujolais.

Serve this medium-bodied Morgon slightly below room temperature (around 16-18°C) to highlight its fresh cherry and spice notes. The wine's firm structure and concentrated fruit make it excellent with roasted poultry, duck breast, or grilled lamb. Its Burgundian character also pairs beautifully with mushroom dishes, charcuterie, and aged cheeses like Comté or Gruyère.

This 2023 vintage is drinking beautifully now, showing vibrant cherry compote and anise spice with polished tannins. However, the concentrated old-vine fruit and firm structure suggest excellent cellaring potential for 5-8 years. As it ages, expect the primary fruit to evolve into more complex earthy and mineral notes while the tannins soften further, revealing the wine's true Burgundian character.

Les Charmes is a specific lieu-dit (named vineyard site) within the Morgon appellation, recognised for producing some of the cru's finest wines. These hillside vineyards benefit from optimal sun exposure and well-draining granitic soils that stress the vines just enough to concentrate flavours. The site's reputation for depth and structure means wines from Les Charmes command premium prices and represent the pinnacle of what Morgon can achieve.

Old-vine Gamay produces significantly more concentrated and complex wines than younger plantings. Mature vines naturally yield less fruit but with greater intensity, developing deeper root systems that access mineral-rich subsoils. This results in wines with better structure, more pronounced terroir expression, and enhanced ageing potential - exactly what you'll find in this Les Charmes bottling with its dense fruit concentration and firm backbone.