Profile

Structure

Bodymedium
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Oaklarge or old casks

Drinking window

Best 4 to 12 years from vintage.

vintage4 yrs12 yrs14 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating above is our own.

In the glass

Medium-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryMedium-Long, Powerful And Mineral finish

What it pairs with

With cheese

Fromage fort de la Croix-Rousse Our pick The Observatoire des produits du terroir names Chénas among the reds for fromage fort. A Beaujolais cru with some structure is a fair match for a very strong, bitter spread on toast.

How to serve Chenas

Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Roast leg of lamb, Hare in sauce poivrade, Aged Comté or Beaufort cheese. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Domaine des Bureaux is one of a small number of independent producers in Chenas, the smallest of the ten Beaujolais crus. The domaine works the granite and sand soils bordering Moulin-a-Vent.

  1. 1988Domaine des Bureaux founded in Chenas

Facts

Producer
Domaine des Bureaux · visiting guide
Grapes
Gamay
Classification
Chénas AOC
Oak
Old large oak foudres, traditional Beaujolais methods for the smallest cru
ABV
13.0%
Price
EUR 13-20 at retail
Drinking window
4-12 from vintage
First vintage
1988

Frequently asked about Chenas

What does Chenas taste like?

Structurally medium-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a medium-long, powerful and mineral finish. Chenas (AOC 1936) covers around 240 hectares between Moulin-a-Vent and Julienas. Domaine des Bureaux produces a concentrated, spicy Gamay that resembles Moulin-a-Vent in structure.

When should I drink Chenas?

Drink 4-12 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Chenas?

Roast leg of lamb is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Hare in sauce poivrade and Aged Comté or Beaufort cheese. Powerful Chenas Gamay with firm tannin handles roasted lamb.

What grapes are in Chenas?

The blend is Gamay. The wine is classified as Chénas AOC.

Tags

dry firm tannin gamay hidden gem high acid medium body medium term mood bold mood rustic occasion cellar occasion dinner party old world pairs with game pairs with red meat price everyday still red

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