PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Maison Trenel was founded in 1928 in the Beaujolais village of Fleurie by Georges Trenel, originally to make fruit liqueurs and wines, and today it’s part of the M. Chapoutier family of wines, sourcing Gamay from growers across the region. Its Cuvée Rochebonne is a Beaujolais made from a specific corner of the Pierres Dorées (“Golden Stones”) area, south of the Beaujolais crus, where the limestone soils give golden-colored stone to the villages and a particular roundness to the wine.
The grapes come from three parcels in the village of Lucenay, east-facing and looking toward Mont Blanc, in very clayey soils, which “give roundness and structure to the wine.” The vines are old, with the oldest planted in 1922. The wine is 100% Gamay Noir, hand-harvested, and given a whole-cluster maceration of 8 to 10 days (the traditional Beaujolais method), then aged five months in concrete tanks, unfined and lightly filtered before bottling. The 2022 is 13.5% ABV.
The importer’s tasting note: “Intense ruby red. A fruity, luscious wine with characteristic aromas of cherry, blueberry, and raspberry, combined with the typical minerality of the Pierres Dorées terroir. Fine, silky tannins. Notes of licorice and pepper develop.”
Critics have rated it consistently at 88 to 89. Wine Enthusiast scored it 88 (December 2024): “Deep purple in color, the wine has a nose of bruised plum, macerated raspberries, dried field grass and violet blossom. The palate echoes the nose with chalky tannins serving restrained, supple black fruit that rides through to the finish.” James Suckling also scored it 88 (December 2024): “Bright and succulent, this offers plenty of red berries, orange peel and mild spices. Medium-bodied with a fleshy core of fruit and creamy tannins. Flavorful finish. Drink now.” Jancis Robinson’s Tamlyn Currin scored it 89 (June 2023): “Generous palate with soft texture, freshly crushed berry notes with pain d’épice, supple and rather long finish.” Wine-Searcher’s critic average is 86 across 13 reviews and vintages.
It’s a juicy, fresh, old-vine Gamay at a low price, easy to drink on its own, and serves best slightly cool (about 55-59°F). It pairs with charcuterie, roast chicken, soft cheeses like Camembert and Brie, pizza, and a red berry pie. It’s a good weeknight or picnic wine, and an easy introduction to Beaujolais for customers who like light, fruity reds.
Maison Trenel 2022 Cuvée Rochebonne is produced by Maison Trenel (part of M. Chapoutier) in Beaujolais, France, from 100% Gamay Noir from three east-facing parcels in Lucenay (Pierres Dorées; very clayey soils; oldest vines planted 1922). Hand-harvested, 8-10 days of whole-cluster maceration, 5 months in concrete tanks, unfined and lightly filtered. 13.5% ABV, 750ml.
Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com — 89 Points (tasted June 2023):
“Generous palate with soft texture, freshly crushed berry notes with pain d’épice, supple and rather long finish.”
Wine Enthusiast — 88 Points (December 2024):
“Deep purple in color, the wine has a nose of bruised plum, macerated raspberries, dried field grass and violet blossom. The palate echoes the nose with chalky tannins serving restrained, supple black fruit that rides through to the finish.”
James Suckling — 88 Points (December 2024):
“Bright and succulent, this offers plenty of red berries, orange peel and mild spices. Medium-bodied with a fleshy core of fruit and creamy tannins. Flavorful finish. Drink now.”
Wine-Searcher aggregate (all vintages): 86/100 across 13 critic reviews
Trenel (tasting notes):
“Intense ruby red. A fruity, luscious wine with characteristic aromas of cherry, blueberry, and raspberry, combined with the typical minerality of the Pierres Dorées terroir. Fine, silky tannins. Notes of licorice and pepper develop.”
Nose
Intense ruby. Cherry, raspberry, and blueberry, with bruised plum, violet, dried field grass, and Pierres Dorées minerality.
Palate
Fresh, juicy, and silky, with crushed berries, pain d’épice, licorice, and pepper, and chalky, supple tannin.
Finish
Supple and rather long, with mineral notes.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Beaujolais AOP, France (Pierres Dorées area, Lucenay) |
| Variety | 100% Gamay Noir |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Producer | Maison Trenel (founded 1928; part of M. Chapoutier) |
| Vineyards | Three east-facing parcels; very clayey soil; oldest vines planted 1922 |
| Winemaking | Hand-harvested; 8–10 days whole-cluster maceration; 5 months in concrete; unfined, lightly filtered |
| ABV | 13.5% |
| Critics | Jancis Robinson 89 · Wine Enthusiast 88 · James Suckling 88 |
| Serving Temperature | 55–59°F |
| Style / Identity | A fresh, juicy, mineral old-vine Beaujolais Gamay, ready to drink |
| Aromas & Flavors | Cherry, raspberry, blueberry, violet, licorice, pepper, mineral |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Serve slightly cool, at about 55-59°F.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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