“I’ll buy a few of these for near term drinking
and a few more to lay down in the cellar.”
Click image to enlarge.
Our old Gang of Pour co-conspirator, Alan Kerr, never used to care much for Gamay, but in the last few years, he’s gotten the Zen of the stuff, and now likes it a lot. He’s in town for a visit, and this is a wine that I will make a point of opening for him, because I think it’s what we’re both looking for in a good Beaujolais.
Fleurie, of course, is the highly-regarded Beaujolais cru appellation. While one bottling I’ve had recently is more in the deep, dark Morgon-like spectrum, most have been a little lighter and more fruit forward, like several of the Coudert Clos de la Roilette offerings we’ve enjoyed. This one falls more in the latter category.
2020 Domaine de Roche Guillon Clos de la Tour Fleurie, 13.5% alc., $19.99: What a nice expression of Gamay. It’s more than medium-bodied, with good depth and intensity, and it balances some pretty cranberry and cherry fruit, accented with violets and a decidedly earthy base. This has the acid tannin structure to age and improve for at least a few years down the road, but it’s drinking well already. I’ll buy a few of these for near term drinking and a few more to lay down in the cellar. It weighs in at the top end of this blog’s preferred price range, but drop it into a 6-pack for the 10% discount, and it’ll cost you a couple o’ bucks less at Berkley’s Westborn Market. Find this wine
Imported by AHD Vintners, Warren, MI
I’ve been wanting to explore Beaujolais more thoroughly as of late, and this wine is not only a good starting point, it makes me want to search out even more gems that are hiding in plain view. The importer’s website gives no information about this particular bottling, but I was able to find a little bit from a UK retailer’s web presence:
Husband and wife team Bruno and Valerie Coporet are the 4th generation to make wine at this family owned Domaine located in the Fleurie appellation in the northern part of the Beaujolais region.
The vineyard covers an area of 7 hectares and is located 350m above sea level with a south-east facing exposure and is planted with 45 year old vines. The aspect ensuring the Gamay grapes reach optimum ripeness to produce a wine with real structure and intensity of flavour not always achieved from this appellation.
The wines is bottled unfiltered in the springtime following the harvest to retain the fruit freshness and rich gamay flavour.
Reporting from Day-twah,
Bastardo
