Stephane Aviron Morgon Cote Du Py Vieilles Vignes 2021

Winemaker/owner Stéphane Aviron produces traditional, terroir-driven, distinctive wines from all of the important cru's. His family has hailed from the Beaujolais region for many generations, and winegrowing is clearly in his blood. We have enjoyed his wines at home for many years with friends and family. Never overpowering, beautifully aromatic, and perfectly polished, Aviron is a Bottle Shop favorite estate.

Stéphane has adopted an almost radical return to tradition in Beaujolais: organic viticulture, extremely old vines and classic Burgundian techniques. His cru Beaujolais drink like fine Burgundy. Historically considered “poor man’s Burgundy,” a modern movement toward fruity, simple, quaffing wines boosted sales but eroded the region’s traditional quality. Stéphane Aviron has reversed the trend. By focusing on the Beaujolais village crus, the best sites for unique, expressive wines, and finding old parcels of vines, Aviron creates very expressive, age-worthy wines relying on traditional and new methods, including organic and biodynamic vineyard management. All wines are labeled “Vieilles Vignes,” old vines, because the vines are at least 40 years old. Stéphane Aviron’s wines are authentic in every way.

The Morgon Côte du Py is Stéphane Aviron’s most structured, earthy wine, that is drinkable now and can age wonderfully for as much as twenty years. The grapes are sourced from the slopes of an 1150-foot inactive volcano that is regarded as one of the top terroirs in all of Beaujolais. Vines face due south on a well-pitched hillside of volcanic soils with schist and blue stone. 

Grapes are vinified separately until time for the final blending and bottling. Whole bunches are fermented and then macerated in temperature controlled stainless steel vats for ten days. The wine is aged for 12 months in neutral Burgundy barriques, 228-liter barrels, that are between three and seven years old, to not add any oak characteristics and retain the bright fruit. The perfume of this elegant 2021 is so alluring with bright berries, minerals and earth, followed by a tangy, ample palate full of crushed berries and minerality and a long, silky finish. What a pleasure to drink!