Beaujolais 'Croix Pennet' 2022, Clos Bateau

With the 'Croix Pennet' 2022 cuvée, the innovative micro-estate Clos Bateau delivers an authentic and energetic expression of the Beaujolais. Sourced from a single 0.5-hectare parcel situated precisely on the border between Lantignié and Régnié, this single-vineyard natural wine marries granitic tension, vibrant fruit, and refined complexity.

On the nose, the wine opens wild, deep, and expressive with intense aromas of ripe cherries, wild blackberries, delicate baking spices, and subtle accents of dark chocolate after breathing. On the palate, it is vibrant and juicy, characterized by a velvety texture. The interplay between crunchy, fresh fruit and deeper, ripe background layers provides exceptional balance. The finish is smooth, mineral-driven, and refined with a lingering spicy signature.

Key Highlights

• Exclusivity: Highly limited single-vineyard micro-cuvée with a total production of just 2,340 bottles.
• Terroir: 100% Gamay sourced from a south-facing 0.5-hectare plot on the Lantignié-Régnié border, dominated by massive granite boulders.
• Winemaking & Ageing: 11 days of whole-cluster semi-carbonic maceration. Aged for 8 months: 70% in neutral French oak Burgundy barrels and 30% in stainless steel (inox) to balance fruit purity with subtle structural depth.
• Sustainability: Bottled under natural wine principles: native yeast fermentation, unfiltered, and crafted with minimal cellar intervention.
• Tasting Profile: Wild, energetic, juicy, and complex. Notes of ripe cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate, soft spices, and a focused granitic finish.
• Ageing Potential: Highly approachable and energetic now, with the structural balance to cellar gracefully over 3 to 5 years.

Food Pairing

• Poultry & Rich Meats: Outstanding alongside roasted duck breast, Provençal grilled chicken, or pappardelle with duck ragù.
• Vegetarian: Pairs wonderfully with a rich wild mushroom or truffle risotto.
• Charcuterie & Cheese: An ideal companion for artisanal French charcuterie and semi-hard cheeses like Saint-Nectaire or Tomme de Beaujolais.
• Serving Suggestion: Best served slightly cool between 14°C and 16°C in generous Burgundy crystal glasses.

The Terroir of Croix Pennet

The 'Croix Pennet' parcel rests on the geographic border dividing the village appellation of Lantignié and the Cru of Régnié. The soil is rich in massive, weathered pink granite boulders. This nutrient-poor, well-draining subsoil forces the Gamay vines to root deeply, imparting vibrant mineral tension, crisp natural acidity, and deep fruit intensity to the wine.

About Clos Bateau

Clos Bateau is a boutique micro-estate in the Beaujolais where the vineyards surround the winemakers' home and historical cuverie. Every step of the winemaking process occurs on-site, from organic vineyard management to cellar ageing and bottling. Guided by a low-intervention philosophy, Clos Bateau crafts unadulterated natural wines that transparently capture the essence of regional granitic terroirs.