Château Thivin Les Sept Vignes 2019 Côte de Brouilly, Beaujolais, France 75cl

Château Thivin is one of the historic names of the Côte de Brouilly, a cru at the heart of Beaujolais built on the blue volcanic rock of Mont Brouilly. The estate is long established and highly regarded, a reference point for cru Gamay with real character and depth.

Les Sept Vignes is pure Gamay, drawn from several parcels on the hill as the name suggests. This is Beaujolais at its more serious end, aiming for structure and a genuine sense of place rather than the simple, fruity style of the region’s most basic wines, and it rewards a little attention in the glass.

From the 2019 vintage, the wine shows the ripe yet fresh profile of a good cru Beaujolais, with the volcanic soils of the hill lending an extra stony, mineral lift beneath the fruit.

Expect aromas of red cherry and raspberry with a fine, mineral edge. The palate is medium-bodied, with silky tannins, bright acidity and an elegant, persistent finish that keeps it lively. A light chill of around 30 minutes in the fridge flatters it.

If you enjoy cru Beaujolais or lighter, fresher reds with more to say than everyday Gamay, this Côte de Brouilly is a rewarding step up. Lightly chilled, it pairs beautifully with charcuterie, roast poultry, pork and both soft and hard cheeses. Versatile and food-friendly all year round, it suits an autumn supper as happily as a summer table, and makes a fine choice for anyone keen to discover the more serious side of Beaujolais.