At a glance

Producer

Michel Guignier

Region

Morgon, Beaujolais, France

Grape variety

Gamay

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Fruity

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

€22-€30 (approx. $25-$35 USD retail)

Tasting profile

Red cherry, raspberry, wild strawberry, light floral tones, delicate earth, touch of spice. Zesty, palate-cleansing finish.

Evolution: Fruit will mellow, secondary notes of wild herbs, forest floor, subtle mushroom may emerge. Structure will soften, complexity increases.

At peak: Optimal harmony of freshness, subtle earth, and complexity at 3-7 years of age.

Structure

Acidity

Lively, medium-plus — typical for Beaujolais cru.

Tannins

Supple, fine-grained, moderate for Gamay.

Alcohol

Around 12.5% ABV (typical for Morgon, vintage dependent).

Aging potential

7-9 years from vintage in good storage — will develop savory and earthy notes.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2026 to 2030

Optimal window

2025 to 2032

Current status

Young, primary fruit-focused; can drink now but will benefit from short cellaring.

Current condition

Fresh, lively, vibrant with marked fruitiness and crisp acidity.

Morgon’s cru wines from organic/biodynamic estates like Michel Guignier typically enter a sweet spot after 2-3 years bottling, with fresh fruit integrating with terroir-driven earthiness and savory notes, peaking between years 3-7 and holding up to a decade with careful cellaring.

Food pairing

Charcuterie, roast chicken, duck breast, pork belly, mushroom risotto, lentil salad, Comté or Tomme cheeses.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 9/10

Low-intervention winemaking, hand-harvested grapes, natural fermentation with wild yeasts, minimal sulfur, composting, cover crops, manual vineyard work. Bottled with natural cork, lightweight glass.

Michel Guignier is internationally recognized for organic and near-biodynamic practice with emphasis on biodiversity, healthy soils, and minimal intervention. Vineyards eschew all synthetic chemicals, support pollinator habitats, and maximize sustainability through hand labor, compost use, and low-energy production. Broad adoption of natural/low-carbon methods and eco-conscious packaging underpins a strong sustainability profile. International shipping moderately impacts non-EU eco-footprint.