Chenas by Domaine des Bureaux

In the glass

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

What it pairs with

Roast leg of lamb
Powerful Chenas Gamay with firm tannin handles roasted lamb.
Hare in sauce poivrade
Game in peppery sauce suits the spice and power of a serious Chenas.
Aged Comté or Beaufort cheese
Hard mountain cheese balances the Chenas's tannin and mineral depth.

How to serve Chenas

Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.

Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
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.

1988 — Domaine des Bureaux founded in Chenas

Facts

Producer: Domaine des Bureaux
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.

Chenas