Dominique Piron - Régnié Croix Penet 2011

A lovely Régnié, full-bodied and rich, that really comes into its own when paired with a warm sausage.

A leading figure in the Beaujolais region in general and in Morgon in particular, Dominique Piron—who has since been joined by his partner, Julien Révillon—has developed a solid lineup of Beaujolais wines. Across more than 100 hectares, seven appellations are represented, with Morgon naturally making up the majority. With a refined style and expressive aromas, while retaining the distinctive character of their terroir, the estate’s wines are all outstanding.

As the heir to 14 generations of winemakers, Dominique Piron handed over the reins of the family estate in 2020 to Julien Revillon, his business partner since 2013. Revillon now oversees approximately 50 hectares, divided between the estate’s own vineyards and grapes purchased for the wine merchant division.

The 2011 Régnié Domaine de la Croix Penet is pure, with well-concentrated notes of blackberry and cherry and very appealing toasty undertones; it is juicy and persistent on the palate, with stony and mineral aromas. A delicious wine that will be at its best by late 2014.

Julien Revillon, with the help of his talented winemaker Pierre Meunier, continues Dominique Piron’s legacy with consistency and flair. The duo is supported by vineyard manager Thibaud Lemaître, whose assistance has become essential for overseeing an estate spanning 90 hectares. Their combined efforts have improved the quality of the grapes, and the plot-by-plot selection process they’ve undertaken is beginning to bear fruit. We’re impressed by the consistency of the lineup and its cornerstones: the fruit’s natural spontaneity, its sweetness, and the precise character of each cru.