Tasted with Laurent in Morgon, 14 February 2024.
Laurent Gauthier
Morgon
69910 Villié-Morgon
Tel: +33 6 07 69 26 93
Domaine Instagram
www.laurent-gauthier.com
More reports with Domaine Laurent Gauthier
I began my tours of Beaujolais visiting this super domaine but one year, my fault for sure, I lost them from my list. It was good to be back.
For the photo, I also met son Jason in the vines, the second son is also working at the domaine – Elie – I didn’t see Elie there but I did go running with him through the vines of Morgon a few days later – a night run!
A 5-hectare part of the domaine is all organic now, certified AB since 2023 this called ‘Famille Gautheron’ the other 14 hectares of ‘Laurent Gautheron’ not yet certified.
Laurent on 2023:
“A little complicated in the year as there were some storms with hail – but relatively small. The vintage, overall, is very good.”
Laurent on 2022:
“all the bottlings are done – a correct volume, quite similar to 2023 – the Morgons this year a little rounder. The market is quite reasonable at the moment. No complaints! March 2023 for the first bottling then October for the too Morgons – the l’Eveque was in Springtime at the same time as the white.”
The wines…
A delicious range of wines – well done – some worth a special search!
2022 Famille Gauthier, Morgon Parcelle l’Eveque
This the organic part of the domaine, l’Eveque is the climat.
High tones that are faintly spiced – this with foudre elevage. Mouth-filling – slightly structural but with enough padding before the flavour bursts forward in the middle flavours before slowly fading in a fine and delicious way – I’d probably still wait a year or so for drinking, but it will be a lovely wine.
2022 Chiroubles Chatenay
This made from a parcel of old vines.
A little more open, directly showing more fresh tones. Supple, concentrated but balanced with enough energy despite the concentration. The finish has an unexpected reprise that is beautifully perfumed too – that’s a super wine.
2022 Morgon Grand Cras
Extra depth to this dark-red fruit and a pretty sweetness that’s more floral. Energetic, more intense – becoming a little more linear despite the width to this flavour. Great finishing flavour – intense with violets – that’s a great finish – have patience – a couple of years but this is clearly an excellent Morgon!
More direct aromas but also plenty of florals. Extra breadth of flavour – extra silk to the texture too – by the middle flavours as the tannin becomes visible it’s more of a velour texture. The finish takes off to another level – that will be a great wine – it’s already super!!
A 2 year elevage in old 500-litre barrels.
Not the largest nose but it seems a more spherical shape – calm but concentrated, still with some higher, slightly spiced tones. Wide – much in common with the cool complexity of the 22 Côte du Py – here is more concentration but without losing the balance. That’s a monster of a wine but completely balanced. Drink in 5 years or in 25 years – Potentially a great wine!
And Le White:
2022 Famille Gauthier, Beaujolais Villages Blanc Les Bois
No barrels here – so Les Bois sans bois! Vines in Regnié on the border with Morgon
Ripe but energetic – not too exotic but in the direction of quince – muscat even but not muscaté. But a dry wine with attack; there’s width to this floral-infused flavour too, finishing direct and precise – oh – and delicious! Well done!