# Château Cambon Beaujolais (2023)

- **Producer:** Château Cambon
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Gamay
- **Region:** Beaujolais, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Average price:** €22
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 12–14 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, blackcurrant, strawberry, forest floor

## About this wine

Château Cambon Beaujolais is the result of a significant collaboration between two influential Beaujolais producers, Marcel Lapierre and Joseph Chamonard, often referred to as part of the "Gang of Five." This venture embodies a return to traditional, natural winemaking principles, focusing on minimal intervention to allow the wine to truly express its unique terroir. The vineyard, located in St. Jean d'Ardieres between the crus of Morgon and Brouilly, boasts exceptionally old vines, with some parcels dating back to 1914, contributing to the wine's depth and complexity. This wine is celebrated for being a "real fruit bomb" from these ancient vines, crafted to be complex, inviting, and distinctly acidic, making it an excellent food-pairing companion.

## Interesting facts

- Château Cambon is a joint venture between two legendary Beaujolais producers, Marcel Lapierre and Joseph Chamonard.
- The wine is made from exceptionally old Gamay vines, with some parcels planted as far back as 1914.
- Only about 1,250 bottles are produced each vintage, making it a rare and sought-after wine.
- The winemaking adheres strictly to organic and biodynamic principles, with minimal intervention.

## Food pairing

The wine's vibrant red fruit, refreshing acidity, and light, silky tannins make it incredibly versatile with a range of savory dishes. It complements rich flavors without overpowering them, especially those with earthy or umami notes, and stands up well to a touch of spice or acidity from sauces. Its light body and juicy character make it an excellent companion for poultry, pork, and lighter red meat preparations.

## Wine making process

The winemaking at Château Cambon is deeply rooted in organic and biodynamic practices, ensuring the health of the vineyard and the purity of the fruit. Grapes are meticulously grown without synthetic herbicides or pesticides. Harvests are conducted late to ensure optimal ripeness, followed by rigorous sorting of the grapes. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with natural yeasts in large 7,000-liter ancient foudres. The philosophy is non-interventionist, meaning little to no sulfites are added, and chaptalization is avoided. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 9 months in 216-liter used oak barrels, allowing it to develop character and texture without imparting overt oak flavors, before a limited production of only 1,250 bottles per vintage.