2022 Domaine Thillardon "Chassignol" - Chénas - 3 Bottles (0.75L)

Domaine Thillardon – Chénas Chassignol 2022

A remarkable and highly sought-after expression of Chénas from Domaine Thillardon, one of the leading estates of the modern Beaujolais movement. Founded by Paul-Henri Thillardon in 2008, the domaine has quickly established an exceptional reputation for pure, terroir-driven Gamay made with minimal intervention.

Paul-Henri Thillardon arrived in Chénas at just 22 years old and was strongly influenced by leading natural winemakers such as Jean-Louis Dutraive and Yvon Métras. His brothers Charles and Jean-Baptiste, and later his sister Aude, joined the domaine, turning it into a true family project. Today, the estate farms around 12 hectares across Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent and Beaujolais. The vineyards are worked organically and according to biodynamic principles, with horses used for ploughing and a strong focus on biodiversity.

Chassignol is one of the domaine's most important and distinctive cuvées. The vineyards are located directly around the family's winery in the village of Chassignol, on steep slopes where mechanical cultivation is impossible. The parcel contains exceptionally old vines, with some plantings reaching approximately 80–100 years of age. The soils are dominated by ancient granite scattered with quartz, giving the wine its characteristic combination of finesse, minerality and structure.

The vineyard is farmed with an almost entirely manual approach. The grapes are harvested by hand and brought to the cellar with great care. Thillardon's winemaking philosophy is deliberately non-interventionist: spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, gentle extraction and long maceration allow the character of the Gamay and its granite terroir to shine through. Depending on the vintage, the wine is matured in concrete, fibre tanks or older oak vessels, with the emphasis firmly on purity rather than oak influence.

The 2022 vintage is a particularly attractive expression of Chassignol. The wine displays an elegant and expressive nose of ripe red berries, wild raspberry, cherry and violets, complemented by subtle spicy and mineral notes. On the palate it is remarkably pure and refined, combining juicy fruit with vibrant acidity, silky tannins and a distinctly mineral character. Despite its delicacy, there is impressive depth and structure beneath the surface, making this a serious and age-worthy Beaujolais.

The 2022 has received an excellent 92/100 from Vinous, the influential wine publication founded by Antonio Galloni. The tasting note describes the wine as harmonious and balanced, with red-fruit and spicy aromas.

Jancis Robinson has also included the Chassignol 2022 in her tasting of Beaujolais, with reviewer Matthew Hayes tasting the wine in July 2024 and highlighting it among the estate's top wines. The numerical score is not publicly displayed on the open version of the review.

Producer: Domaine Thillardon
Vintage: 2022
Appellation: Chénas AOC
Cuvée: Chassignol
Region: Beaujolais, France
Grape Variety: 100% Gamay
Vine Age: Up to approximately 80–100 years
Soil: Ancient granite with quartz
Viticulture: Organic and biodynamic
Harvest: Hand-picked
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts / spontaneous fermentation
Winemaking: Minimal intervention, gentle extraction
Alcohol: 12.5%
Professional Score: 92/100 – Vinous
Drinking Window: 2025–2035+
Format: 75 cl
Condition: Perfect. Stored professionally under temperature-controlled conditions