Chenas En Papolet 2023

En Papolet 2023 comes from old, organically cultivated Gamay vines that reach deep into the barren, pink granite of the Chénas appellation. After rigorous hand-picking, the grapes are placed in concrete as whole bunches, where they undergo a gentle semi-carbonic fermentation for 20 days. The subsequent spontaneous fermentation and nine months of ageing in used 228-liter pièces and concrete allow the fruit, spice and texture to flow precisely into one another. In the glass, the En Papolet is deep cherry red with a violet hue and exudes dark blackberry, freshly ground white pepper and a fine veil of sweet tobacco. On the palate, it displays concentrated yet silky fruit, carried by pithy granite minerality and dense but surprisingly supple tannins - structure with velvet gloves. The vibrant acidity keeps everything in elegant tension before the wine fades into a long, spicy-cool finish. En Papolet pairs effortlessly with grilled lamb or steak, but is equally impressive on its own, slightly chilled, when the night may taste a little darker. Like all natural wines from Domaine Obora, it is unfiltered and bottled with minimal sulphur.