Viniou Reviews
Château des Bachelards’ Cuvée Comtesse de Vazeilles 2021 is a red Saint-Amour from the northernmost cru of Beaujolais, crafted predominantly from Gamay, the signature grape of the region. The 2021 vintage reflects a classic style, with grapes grown on granitic and clay-limestone soils, contributing finesse and structure to the wine. This cuvée benefits from careful, organic viticulture, often with biodynamic practices, and patient vinification that emphasises purity and aromatic expression. Gentle extraction and maturation in traditional vessels allow the fruit’s delicacy and the terroir’s mineral edge to shine through. The result is a wine with an expressive nose – ripe red berries, violets, a hint of spice – and a lively, silky palate balancing freshness and depth.
Beaujolais, and specifically Saint-Amour, enjoys a semi-continental climate influenced by both the Saône plain and nearby hills. This microclimate ensures warm days and cool nights, preserving acidity in the grapes while allowing optimal ripening. The region’s granite and schist soils are particularly suited to the Gamay grape, yielding wines known for their vibrancy and aromatic elegance. While Beaujolais as a whole is sometimes associated with nouveau wines, the crus like Saint-Amour stand out for their complexity and age-worthiness. With a long history of vine-growing, Saint-Amour is celebrated for marrying the conviviality of Beaujolais with Burgundian refinement.
For food pairings, this Saint-Amour is wonderfully versatile. Its supple tannins and fresh fruit notes complement charcuterie, terrines or pâtés, as well as roast poultry, duck breast with cherries, or even grilled salmon. For a regional touch, consider a chicken with morels or classic Andouillette de Lyon. The wine’s aromatic lift also works beautifully with dishes featuring wild mushrooms and herb-crusted lamb.
Best enjoyed slightly chilled, serve this Saint-Amour 2021 at 14-15°C to enhance its floral bouquet and refreshing palate. Decanting for about 30 minutes can help open up its finer nuances, especially in its youth. Enjoy it now for its vibrant fruit, or cellar for three to five years to reveal additional tertiary complexity.
