Guy Breton ‘Cuvée Léa’, Chiroubles, Beaujolais, France 2024
Pickup available at DECANT Napa - 2999 Solano, Napa, CA
Usually ready in 1 hour
Guy Breton—affectionately known as “Petit Max” and one of the original “Gang of Four” alongside Lapierre, Foillard, and Thévenet—has been a leading voice for natural Beaujolais since the 1980s. His wines, crafted with minimal intervention and deep respect for old vines, express purity, lift, and the soulful texture of Gamay grown on granite.
- WINEMAKER: Guy Breton
- FARMING: Organic (uncertified); vines are hand-tended and treated only with organic preparations, no herbicides or synthetic chemicals.
- VARIETY: 100% Gamay Noir
- TERROIR: Sourced from high-elevation, old-vine parcels in Chiroubles, where the vines grow on decomposed pink granite and sandy soils at roughly 400 meters above sea level. This is the highest and coolest of Beaujolais’ crus, producing wines noted for their delicacy and perfume.
- VINIFICATION: Whole-cluster fermentation with native yeasts using traditional, semi-carbonic maceration in concrete vats. Minimal sulfur added only at bottling. The wine is neither fined nor filtered.
- AGING: Aged for 8–9 months in used Burgundy barrels to preserve freshness and transparency of fruit.
- TASTING NOTES: Fresh and lifted, with aromas of wild strawberry, red cherry, rose petal, and sweet herbs. The palate shows silky texture and fine tannins, layered with tart cranberry, crushed granite, and a long, savory finish. Energetic and graceful, showing the hallmark finesse of Chiroubles.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Perfect with roast chicken, grilled salmon, mushroom dishes, or charcuterie. Serve slightly chilled for maximum refreshment.
- ALCOHOL: ~12.5%
Guy Breton—affectionately known as “Petit Max” and one of the original “Gang of Four” alongside Lapierre, Foillard, and Thévenet—has been a leading voice for natural Beaujolais since the 1980s. His wines, crafted with minimal intervention and deep respect for old vines, express purity, lift, and the soulful texture of Gamay grown on granite.
- WINEMAKER: Guy Breton
- FARMING: Organic (uncertified); vines are hand-tended and treated only with organic preparations, no herbicides or synthetic chemicals.
- VARIETY: 100% Gamay Noir
- TERROIR: Sourced from high-elevation, old-vine parcels in Chiroubles, where the vines grow on decomposed pink granite and sandy soils at roughly 400 meters above sea level. This is the highest and coolest of Beaujolais’ crus, producing wines noted for their delicacy and perfume.
- VINIFICATION: Whole-cluster fermentation with native yeasts using traditional, semi-carbonic maceration in concrete vats. Minimal sulfur added only at bottling. The wine is neither fined nor filtered.
- AGING: Aged for 8–9 months in used Burgundy barrels to preserve freshness and transparency of fruit.
- TASTING NOTES: Fresh and lifted, with aromas of wild strawberry, red cherry, rose petal, and sweet herbs. The palate shows silky texture and fine tannins, layered with tart cranberry, crushed granite, and a long, savory finish. Energetic and graceful, showing the hallmark finesse of Chiroubles.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Perfect with roast chicken, grilled salmon, mushroom dishes, or charcuterie. Serve slightly chilled for maximum refreshment.
- ALCOHOL: ~12.5%