2022 Morgon, Javernières, Les Impénitents, Louis Claude Desvignes, Beaujolais

Just under 4,000 bottles were produced.The 2022 Morgon Les Impénitents Javernières is a homage to Louis Claude (coined by French wine writer Michel Bettane) and debuted with the 2009 vintage. It comes from very old vines planted in 1912, just after phylloxera. The bouquet is easily the most floral amongst the range with wilted rose petal, lavender and iris flower, beautifully defined and utterly seductive. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and a gentle grip - very focused with an almost understated yet very harmonious finish. Bon vin.This was my first visit to Louis-Claude Devignes in Villié-Morgon. I met with Louis-Benoît and Claude-Emmanuelle Desvignes, their father having ingeniously named his children after his appended given name, thereby avoiding any need to really change the label. More winemakers should do that! They represent the eighth generation to run the Domaine. “Our father was one of the first to put the lieu-dit on the label,” Benoît explained in their barrel cellar. “Louis-Claude was born in 1937 and retired in 2004. My father never needed herbicides. I work alongside my sister.” They now farm organically and undertake a semi-carbonic maceration.Drink 2024 - 2040Neil Martin, Vinous.com.com (May 2023)