Gamay 'La Souteronne' Herve Souhaut 2024

‘La Souteronne’ by the artisanal vigneron Hervé Souhaut represents a refined expression of Gamay from Northern Rhône that impresses with its juiciness of the fruit. Widely found in the not-so-distant territory of Beaujolais, Gamay originated from the spontaneous crossing of the Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc grape varieties. From this variety arise both fresh and lively wines, ideal for young consumption, as well as complex and structured reds, suitable for long aging, a category to which ‘La Souteronne’ belongs.

Hervé Souhaut ‘La Souteronne’ is made from pure Gamay grapes sourced from vines aged between 50 and 80 years, planted in rocky granitic soils at an altitude of 500 meters above sea level. The harvest is carried out strictly by hand, and the bunches are then vinified whole through spontaneous alcoholic fermentation and prolonged semi-carbonic maceration at low temperatures in oak vats. Once the fermentation process is completed, the mass is aged for about 8 months on fine lees in second-passage oak barrels. Throughout the entire process, invasive clarification or filtration operations are excluded, while sulfur is added at bottling in homeopathic quantities only when the wine requires it.

excluding the use of invasive clarification or filtration operations, while sulfur is added at bottling in homeopathic quantities only when the wine requires it.

The Gamay ‘La Souteronne’ by Hervé Souhaut is pale ruby red in color. The complex aromatic spectrum opens up with fruity notes of strawberry, sour cherry, plum, blackberry, and fig, supported by a fine smoky mineral vein and hints of aromatic herbs and spices. The juicy and lively freshness on the palate is accompanied by a fine yet present tannic structure, with a dynamic and flavorful progression that rests on a finish described by persistent chalky mineral sensations.