Domaine Mont Bessay En Bessay Juliénas 2022

Domaine Mont Bessay is not just a story of rebirth, but also a tale of transformation led by Philippe Pascal. A former executive in the corporate beverage world, Philippe knows a thing or two about reinvention. After an exceptionally successful career as CEO of the Moët-Hennessy Group, Philippe took a bold step and purchased an abandoned vineyard and winery in Givry Burgundy. For ten years, he toiled to bring the property back to life, a journey that saw him transform from a corporate officer to a vigneron. His winery, Cellier aux Moines, went from "rags to riches," a testament to Philippe's determination and belief in the terroir of Givry. Now, he's back at it again with Domaine Mont Bessay in Juliénas, Beaujolais. Philippe felt the same kind of hunch when walking the deserted hill-top vineyards, knowing that with intense TLC, the terroir in underrated Juliénas could rival those of more renowned Beaujolais Crus.

Juliénas, a region that balances on an intriguing scale between terroir and winemaking tradition, offers wines with unique characteristics. The region's climate, more akin to that of the Rhône Valley with continental tendencies of dry, hot summers and cold winters, is in the northernmost part of Beaujolais, closer to Burgundy. This proximity often influences the techniques and stylistic choices towards those of Burgundian winemakers. The beauty of Juliénas lies in this dichotomy, which has given birth to wines with a personality all their own. Techniques like stem inclusion and no new oak, combined with the robustly Summer-sun ripened, smaller berries produce wines of power, structure, and elegance. Before World War II, wines from Juliénas were auctioned at the same price as Burgundy but their value fell off with the rise in popularity of Beaujolais Nouveau. Thanks to vignerons like Philippe, crus like Juliénas, known for their stylistically different wine, are making a comeback, piquing the interest of wine enthusiasts.

Mont Bessay's elevated vineyards lie on predominantly granite soils where the Gamay grape thrives.   As they did with Cellier aux Moines, Philippe and his winemaker, Guillaume Marko, upheaved the farming by switching to organic practices and are slowly but surely re-planting the entire 17 acres of vineyard. They played the long game and knew with diligence and time that Mont Bessay would rival the likes of Morgon and Côte de Brouilly. 2022 is their second vintage released and is 100% Gamay.   The wine aged almost two years in neutral oak barrels, giving it structure while softening the tannins and maintaining the ripe, red fruit aromas. Hints of wild strawberry, red currant, and crushed violet envelope the first sips while pluot, peach, and spiced cherries fill the palate. Pair this full-bodied, alluring red with creamy, soft cow's milk cheeses or a roast chicken dinner.