SAINT AMOUR
Grape varietal
Black Gamay (Gamay Noir) with white juice.
Tasting notes
Colour: Deep garnet-ruby.
Nose: Rich floral aromas (peony, mignonette) and fruit notes (raspberry and vineyard peach), enhanced by subtle hints of kirsch.
Palate: Soft, harmonious and highly expressive, with excellent drinkability.
Serving suggestions
Best enjoyed slightly chilled, at around 15°C. (59°F.), to reveal its seductive aromas.
Food and wine pairing
An ideal companion to creamy chicken with mushrooms or an elegant cheese board.
Ageing potential
A Cru that will age comfortably for up to five years in the cellar.
Origins
Located at the northernmost edge of the Beaujolais vineyard, Saint-Amour marks the final stop on the route of the Beaujolais Crus. According to legend, the village of Saint-Amour originated from the conversion to Catholicism of a Roman warrior who founded a monastery on the hilltop overlooking the Saône Valley. The touch of romance suggested by its name has made this wine particularly sought-after.
Terroir
The commune of Saint-Amour lies at the meeting point of granite soils, ideally suited to red wines, and limestone areas where Chardonnay thrives. The clay-siliceous soils and clay deposits surrounding stony, rocky elements are derived from granite bedrock and arkose (Triassic sandstone).
Vinification and maturing
Hand-harvested grapes. Gravity-fed vatting in concrete tanks. Whole-bunch maceration for around ten days, incorporating pump-overs and rack-and-return operations prior to pressing, to maximise structure and colour extraction. The wine is then matured on fine lees in tank.
