Inheriting 150-Year Vines: Anthony Thevenet's Beaujolais Vision
"I completely understand why Josh (Raynolds) was so enthused by Thévenet – these wines quietly blew me away." - Neal Martin, Vinous.com
This praise showcases the excitement surrounding the work of Anthony Thevenet, a rising star in Beaujolais. Thevenet's wines have not only captivated our own team, but have also wowed influential critics like Josh Raynolds and Neal Martin.
Born into a winemaking family, Thevenet honed his skills through an apprenticeship with local luminaries. He spent 7 years working under Georges Descombes, and 5 years as the right-hand man of Jean Foillard, two natural wine masters of Beaujolais👑. With this invaluable experience, Thevenet started his own estate in 2012, inheriting his grandfather's vineyards with vines ranging from 40 to 150 years old.
Thevenet's wines combine the traditional and the modern, reflecting his respect for the region's heritage and his desire to push Beaujolais forward. 🍇His old-vine cuvées showcase the classic, structured style of the appellation, while his wines from younger vines exhibit a more lifted, contemporary profile.
The vineyards are farmed organically, only organically-permitted copper and sulfur are used when necessary. The winemaking process is hands-off, with vinification following the traditional carbonic maceration method. The wines are aged for around seven months in demi-muids and used barrels, with no sulfur added until bottling and no fining or filtration. Thevenet avoids new oak, using demi-muids and used barrels to gently round out the wines and preserve their fruity characters.
Thevenet's red wine portfolio is a true showcase of Beaujolais' potential. His "Beaujolais-Villages" is a fresh, aromatic expression with juicy red fruit and mineral characters. The "Chénas Vieilles Vignes" cuvée is crafted from 50-year-old vines situated on a softly sloping parcel with deep pink granite sand and gravel soils, which create wines of intensity and depth, with lovely hints of rose, berries and pepper.
His Morgon cuvées are equally impressive. The "Morgon" comes from 60-80 year old vines in granitic, sandy soils between Côte de Py and Fleurie, producing an elegant, complex Morgon with light tannins and mineral notes. The "Morgon Cuvée Vieilles Vignes”, sourced from 80-to-100-year-old vines, delivers flavors of cranberry and plum, with a touch of earthiness and leather. Finally, the "Morgon Cuvée Centenaire" is the crown jewel, from a single parcel of 150 year-old vines. This wine exhibits dark red fruits and dark chocolate, with a lovely balance of acid and tannins, and a lingering finish.
Beyond his captivating Gamay-based reds, Thevenet has also taken on the challenge of reviving Chardonnay in Beaujolais (which now only accounts for 3% of the AOC’s plantation). After a long search, he secured an exceptional organically farmed plot with the ideal alkaline, high-pH soils required for the variety. His “Beaujolais Blanc” 💛 offers a more approachable and refreshing alternative to white Burgundy, delivering impressive complexity and versatility in food pairing.
As a passionate steward of Beaujolais, Thevenet is dedicated to showcasing the region's untapped potential. He is leading the charge in elevating perceptions of Beaujolais, both through the sheer quality of his wines and his efforts to reintroduce forgotten varieties like Chardonnay.
With talent, vision, and an unwavering love for his land, Anthony Thevenet is poised to cement Beaujolais' rightful place among the most compelling wine regions of France.
SPECIAL OFFER:
ENJOY 12% OFF DISCOUNT ON ALL wines by Anthony Thevenet
Promotion period: until Sep 4, 2024
1/ Anthony Thevenet Beaujolais Blanc 2022 - Bt
(12% Off) HK$330 ▷ HK$290
A rare 100% Chardonnay from Beaujolais, exhibiting flavors of citrus and stone fruits, with floral and mineral undertones. Rounder, lighter and more approachable than a typical white Burgundy, it is made in a Burgundian style with direct pressing, malolactic fermentation, and aging in large, old oak barrels without lees stirring or added sulfites, resulting in a refreshing, vibrant, and well-structured wine with a gorgeous gold color and balanced fruit, floral, and mineral notes.
2/ Anthony Thevenet Beaujolais Villages 2020 - Bt | NM89
(12% Off) HK$200 ▷ HK$176
The 2020 Beaujolais-Villages, matured in concrete tanks, has an attractive, rich bouquet of copious red cherries, crushed strawberry and touches of dark chocolate. The palate is well balanced with fine-grained tannins, well-judged acidity and a lovely saline finish. Its simplicity its virtue. Drink over the next 3–5 years... or as soon as your bottle arrives.
-89, Neal Martin, Vinous.com, August 2021
3/ Anthony Thevenet Chenas Vieilles Vignes 2017 - Bt | NM93
(12% Off) HK$285 ▷ HK$250
The 2017 Chénas Vieilles Vignes comes from clayey soils and underwent an élevage of seven months in used barrel. It suffered hail damage, some 20% having been lost during the storms that year. Thevent admitted that this could pass as a Burgundy Pinot in a blind tasting, and he is correct there. Scents of iodine, blueberry and violet gently unfold from the glass, quite intense and well defined. The palate is full of crunchy red fruit laced with white pepper and sage. Delivering very good depth and grip on the finish, this feels cohesive and persistent. An excellent Chénas from the top drawer.
-93, Neal Martin, Vinous.com, August 2021
4/ Anthony Thevenet Chenas Vieilles Vignes 2018 - Mag | NM92
(12% Off) HK$655 ▷ HK$576
The 2018 Chénas Vieilles Vignes comes from vines over 80 years old. Like Thevenet mentioned it has a Pinot-like bouquet, very pure and focused, the oak subsumed and barely noticeable. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. That Pinot Noir theme continues with a smudge of chocolate and a hint of toffee on the fresh finish. Lovely.
-92, Neal Martin, Vinous.com, May 2023
5/ Anthony Thevenet Morgon 2019 - Bt
(12% Off) HK$215 ▷ HK$189
An expressive nose of juicy red plums, blackberries, and spring florals. The palate is vibrant and fresh, balancing concentrated red fruit with refreshing acidity and subtle earthiness. Finishes smooth and silky.
6/ Anthony Thevenet Morgon 2022 - Bt | NM91+
(12% Off) HK$220 ▷ HK$194
The 2022 Morgon, raised in concrete vats as usual, is clean and precise on the nose, almost understated at first, opening with gravel-tinged red fruit. The palate is well balanced with firm tannins on the entry that will require bottle age to soften. There’s fine depth here, quite linear and correct with an austere and "serious" finish that needs time. Good potential, but patience is required.
-91+, Neal Martin, Vinous.com, March 2024
7/ Anthony Thevenet Morgon Cuvee Vieilles Vignes 2019 - Bt
(12% Off) HK$275 ▷ HK$242
This wine is crafted from a blend of old vines in Morgon and Corcelette. The sandy soils lend finesse and refinement, while the old vines add depth and complexity. The resulting wine shows an elegant, delicate profile with a fruity aroma of berries and earthy notes. Velvetty smooth with vibrant acidity and a lingering minerality.
8/ Anthony Thevenet Morgon Cuvee Vieilles Vignes 2020 - Bt
(12% Off) HK$285 ▷ HK$250
This medium-bodied wine elegantly combines plummy, fruity, and spicy flavors. The layered nose offers cherry, raspberry and leather, reflected on the complex palate of ripe red fruit, black cherry, pepper, and subtle spice. A well-crafted, serious expression of the varietal.
9/ Anthony Thevenet Morgon Cuvee Vieilles Vignes 2021 - Bt | NM94
(12% Off) HK$285 ▷ HK$250
The 2021 Morgon Vieilles Vignes comes from 91-year-old vines. It is vinified up to 18°C and pressed directly into used barrels. It has a very pure and perfumed bouquet with light iris flower and incense aromas permeating the dark cherry and strawberry fruit. The palate is very well-balanced with supple tannins. Not a powerful Morgon but as precise as you can get with a poised and lingering licorice-tinged finish. Superb.
-94, Neal Martin, Vinous.com, May 2023
10/ Anthony Thevenet Morgon Centenaire 2018 - Bt | NM93
(12% Off) HK$440 ▷ HK$387
The 2018 Morgon Centenaire comes from Thevenet's prized oldest vines, over a century old. It had a slightly longer maceration and ageing in demi-muids. A beautifully defined nose brings dark berry fruit, bay leaf, and touches of dark chocolate. The palate is medium-bodied, clean and precise with fine-grained tannins. Again dark chocolate touches complement the red berry fruit with a hint of licorice on the finish. Superb. Just 1,000-odd bottles produced.
-93, Neal Martin, Vinous.com, March 2023
Promotion period: until Sep 4, 2024
In stock now, and offered subject to final confirmation and remaining unsold. E. & O. E.
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