Petit Pérou
Villié-Morgon, Beaujolais
Under the watch of Laurent (4th generation) and Hugo (5th generation) their estate wines are classic, expressive Beaujolais made very much by hand in the family’s little cellar. The wonderful stories on each of their cuvees, not to mention the different personalities of each era of Thevenet that shaped what Petit Pérou is today, make these juicy Gamays a very welcome addition to our portfolio.
Hugo and Laurent Thévenet have been hard at work cultivating their precious Morgon vines, some 110 years of age, to craft wines that speak truthfully of the diversity of their terroir and their rich family history. The domain was founded in 1886. In a century, their vineyard holdings grew from 2 to 18 hectares, planted to Gamay for the majority, Chardonnay, then Syrah (since 2012). To this day, they are devoted to the meticulous cultivation of their vines, focusing on low yields of exceptional quality.
The Thévenet family’s history is tightly linked to Beaujolais’ prosperity. Henri Thévenet (second generation) was one of the producers who pioneered estate bottlings in the region. Before him, growers would sell their fruit to larger producers when it wasn’t used to produce wine for their personal consumption. Then, his son Roger extended their domestic footprint. With Laurent’s involvement, the domain thrived and sales followed. Since Hugo’s inception in 2015, Domaine du Petit Pérou has had a true international awakening.
2024 Beaujolais Rouge 'Tu m'tiens au jus'
Tu m’tiens au jus speaks to the fluid, trusting connection between Laurent and Hugo, father and son, and the effortless way knowledge, instinct and energy pass between them. That same ease is felt in the wine itself, supple, seamless and bursting with fresh fruit.
The word jus means “juice” in French, but it also carries the idea of energy or current, something alive and circulating. It’s a fitting name for a wine that feels vibrant, immediate and expressive.
Winemaking
This cuvée is drawn from 60-year-old Gamay vines across Beaujolais. The fruit is fully destemmed before undergoing semi-carbonic maceration, preserving purity and brightness while retaining structure. The wine then rests for four months in concrete vats, before being bottled early under CO₂ to lock in freshness, aromatic lift and precision.
Tasting Notes
A generous, juicy expression of Beaujolais, brimming with ripe strawberries, raspberries and classic red berry fruit, layered with subtle hints of blackcurrant. The palate is silky and velvety, gliding effortlessly before finishing with a delicate floral note that adds freshness, elegance and length.
2021 Beaujolais Morgon 'Tradition’
Domaine du Petit Pérou was passed down from father to son over 5 generations who have seen the domain through two world wars. As indicated in the name, winemaking is a family tradition. Tradition echoes loud and clear in this hearty wine, generous yet trimmed enough to be enjoyed on its own or with coq au vin.
Winemaking
The vines grow on clay and sandy soils, resulting in a pleasantly lush wine. The grapes were destemmed and put through semi carbonic maceration before maturing in concrete vats for 8 months. The wine was bottled under CO2 to preserve its freshness.
Tasting Notes
Dark and broody, with intense aromas of cherry and blackberry and cassis. The tightly coiled palate slowly unfurls with sour cherry and bitter dark chocolate tannins, mixed with exuberant notes of dried mint and sweet liquorice.
2023 Morgon 'Les Dryades'
The fruit comes from the celebrated Morgon appellation, drawing from a selection of parcels around the estate, including vines in highly regarded terroirs such as the area known as Aux Chênes. The vineyards are managed to maintain a natural balance, allowing the old Gamay vines to express intense fruit purity, concentration, and minerality. The wine showcases a strong sense of place, delivering structure, depth, and vibrant aromatic expression.
Winemaking
The grapes are hand-harvested as whole bunches and undergo semi-carbonic maceration, preserving aromatic lift and natural freshness. The wine is then matured for 12 months in oak barrels, adding subtle complexity, polish, and support to the vibrant fruit, while maintaining the signature precision and definition of Morgon.
Tasting Notes
This is a dark, structured, and complex Morgon. Aromas of ripe cherry, blackberry, and sweet liquorice are layered with delicate floral and savory notes of violet and rosemary. The palate is plump, generous, and precise, framed by grippy tannins that bring definition and length, resulting in a wine with both immediate charm and aging potential.
Reviews
Highly expressive Morgon with layers of ripe cherry, blackberry, and sweet liquorice, complemented by subtle floral and savory aromatics of violet and rosemary. The palate is generous yet defined, with grippy tannins that provide structure, length, and aging potential, making this a standout cru from Petit Pérou. 91pts. James Suckling
Dark and complex with vibrant fruit and floral lift. The tannins are firm but polished, carrying the wine to a long, refined finish. A superb expression of old-vine Gamay from Morgon. 92pts. Wine Enthusiast
2022 Morgon 'Vielles Vignes'
The Morgon Vieilles Vignes is crafted from century‑old vines, planted around 1920 below the plateaus of Morgon’s famed Côte du Py, on a mosaic of clay, blue stone and alluvium that brings structure and minerality to the fruit. The estate’s meticulous approach to low yields and balance allows the vines to produce deeply expressive Gamay with concentration and refined tannins.
Winemaking
The whole bunches were hand‑harvested and fermented with semi‑carbonic maceration to preserve lift and fruit purity. The wine then matured for 12 months in oak barrels, adding texture and nuance while maintaining freshness and varietal clarity.
Tasting Notes
A dark, complex expression of Morgon with ripe cherry, blackberry and sweet liquorice aromas. Subtle savoury and floral notes of rosemary and violet add depth. The palate is generous and well‑defined, with grippy tannins providing structure and a long finish that delivers both power and elegance.
Reviews
Bright and focused with ripe cherries, red licorice and hints of cocoa and wet stones on the nose. Well‑balanced and structured with medium body and velvety yet defined tannins, finishing attractively with mineral character. 92pts. James Suckling
Opens with spiced red currant, black raspberry, mushroom and cranberry aromas that flow to red‑cherry cola and bruised blackberry. The palate showcases black fruit with slightly velvety tannins and a minerally undercurrent on the finish. 91pts. Wine Enthusiast
2021 Morgon 'Côte du Py'
The Morgon Vieilles Vignes is crafted from carefully selected plots of low‑yielding old vines planted around the foot of the Côte du Py, on mineral‑rich soils of clay, blue stone and alluvium. This terroir is prized for producing expressive, structured Morgon with depth and ageing potential. The estate’s focus on balance and restrained yields yields concentrated fruit with refined tannins that reflect the character of Morgon.
Winemaking
The whole bunches were hand harvested and put through semi‑carbonic maceration to preserve lift and fruit purity. After fermentation, the wine was matured in oak barrels for 12 months, adding texture and complexity while maintaining freshness and varietal clarity.
Tasting Notes
It’s a dark and complex interpretation of Morgon. Ripe cherry, blackberry and sweet liquorice aromas and flavours are complemented by subtle savoury and floral notes such as rosemary and violets. The palate is plump and generous, yet extremely well defined thanks to grippy tannins adding depth and length to the finish, making it both approachable now and rewarding with cellaring.
Reviews
This bright and focused Morgon offers ripe cherries, red licorice and hints of cocoa and wet stones on the nose. Well‑balanced and structured, it has a medium body and a velvety but well‑defined tannin structure, finishing attractively with mineral character. 92pts. James Suckling
The wine opens with spiced red currant, black raspberry, mushroom and cranberry aromas that run towards red‑cherry cola and bruised blackberry. The palate draws black fruit across slightly‑velvety tannins that unlock an undercurrent of minerality on the finish. 91pts. Wine Enthusiast