Thibault Ducroux Morgon 2023

This wine makes the hair on my arms stand up. Beautifully pure, wildly energetic Morgon from one of Beaujolais’ most exciting young talents. Flavours of wild plum, blueberries and pink peppercorn leap and dance from the glass The wine tit in me is desperate to tell you about the evocative scent of crushed granit. The palate is redolent of black cherries and violets, with silky soft tannins and a long, velvety finish. Whilst I thoroughly enjoy this as a though provoking early evening quaff, it would be very much at home next to roast duck, barbecued chicken, or practically anything off a good bistro menu.

From two contracted parcels in Morgon, one in Les Charmes with 40-year-old vines and the other in Corcelette with vines pushing 50, both rooted in granite and schist. Whole bunch carbonic fermentation keeps things lifted and juicy, before a native yeast ferment and eight months ageing in concrete. Bottled unfined, unfiltered and with only a tiny touch of sulphur, it’s pure, energetic Beaujolais with loads of life.

Thibault was destined to be a winemaker from birth. The son of a Beaujolais grower, he recalls how quickly he became passionate while learning the basics of the trade in his dad's cellar. After study in the field and discovering the works of Jules Chauvet - the father of the French natural wine movement - the path was set. Ducroux honed his craft working for low intervention winemakers in Beaujolais and the Jura, and begun his winery with 1.25ha owned vines and 6.5ha total via long-term contracts, all organically farmed and in conversion across Beaujolais, Fleurie and Morgon.