Jacques, Chateau des
Summary
Château des Jacques is a 27-hectare Louis Jadot-owned estate centered in Moulin-à-Vent, producing cru Beaujolais from Gamay Noir grown in pink granite and manganese-rich soils across distinguished climats in Moulin-à-Vent, Morgon, and Fleurie. The estate applies Burgundian winemaking techniques to Beaujolais viticulture, including partial destemming, extended maceration periods of up to four weeks, and 10-12 months of French oak aging—a methodical approach that yields structured, age-worthy expressions of Gamay.
Heritage & Leadership
Château des Jacques was acquired by Maison Louis Jadot in 1996, marking a significant investment in the Beaujolais region by this Burgundian house. The estate is centered around a 19th-century château in the village of Romanèche-Thorins. Under Jadot's ownership, the property has been managed by a succession of technical directors, with Cyril Chirouze currently overseeing operations. The acquisition represented Louis Jadot's commitment to elevating the reputation of Beaujolais cru wines, particularly those from Moulin-à-Vent. The estate has maintained its distinct identity while benefiting from Jadot's technical resources and distribution network. Prior to Jadot's ownership, the property had established itself as a significant vineyard holder in the Moulin-à-Vent appellation, though it has expanded its holdings in other Beaujolais crus since the 1996 acquisition.
Vineyards & Wines
Château des Jacques manages approximately 27 hectares of vineyards across several Beaujolais crus. The estate's primary focus is Moulin-à-Vent, where it holds parcels in several distinguished climats including La Roche, Les Thorins, and Champ de Cour. Additional holdings extend into the Morgon and Fleurie appellations. The vineyards are planted exclusively to Gamay Noir, the traditional variety of Beaujolais, with many parcels featuring vines over 40 years old. The soils in the Moulin-à-Vent parcels are characterized by pink granite and manganese, contributing to the structural potential of wines from this cru. Vineyard elevations range from 250 to 300 meters above sea level. The estate produces both blended cru Beaujolais wines and single-vineyard bottlings that express the distinct characteristics of specific sites within these appellations.
Philosophy & Practice
Château des Jacques has distinguished itself by applying Burgundian winemaking techniques to Beaujolais viticulture. The estate practices partial destemming rather than the carbonic maceration traditionally associated with Beaujolais production. Fermentations are conducted with extended maceration periods lasting up to four weeks, significantly longer than regional norms. This approach extracts greater structure and tannin from the Gamay grape. After fermentation, the wines are aged in French oak barrels for 10-12 months, including a percentage of new oak. This maturation regimen is more aligned with Burgundian Pinot Noir production than typical Beaujolais methods. In the vineyards, the team maintains low yields through pruning and green harvesting when necessary. Harvest is conducted by hand, with sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery to ensure only optimal fruit enters production. This combination of attentive viticulture and Burgundian cellar practices reflects the estate's commitment to producing age-worthy expressions of Gamay from specific terroirs.