Beaujolais Wines
Beaujolais is sometimes thought of as part of Burgundy, because so many of the Burgundy wine companies have expanded their reach to include wines from the Beaujolais wine region. But Beaujolais wines deserve to stand apart, not least because they are made from an entirely different grape — Gamay. Grown on the region’s granite slopes, the Gamay imparts a fresh, directly fruity yet mineral character to the wines, best reflected in our Beaujolais wine reviews.
At the highest quality level, the Beaujolais wine region contains 10 crus — communes that have the right to wear their own appellations on the label: Brouilly, Chénas, Côte de Brouilly, Chiroubles, Fleurie, Juliénas, Morgon, Moulin-à-Vent, Régnie Reviews and St-Amour. One-step below is Beaujolais Villages, with Beaujolais itself as the broadest, most generic appellation. Our Beaujolais wine guide contains hundreds of Beaujolais wine ratings.
Château des Jacques 2011 Côte du Py Gamay (Morgon)
Solid and dense, this shows the structure and concentration from the famed Côte du Py in Morgon. It has a lot of tannins at the moment, although the potential of the red berry fruit and acidity is evident. Age this for four years.
— R.V.
(3/1/2013)
Pascal Aufranc 2011 Vignes de 1939 Gamay (Chénas)
- Editors' Choice
- $35
Made using fruit that was sourced from vines planted in 1939, this wine shows the great concentration low yields and old vines can give. It has Gamay’s natural freshness, with firm, dry tannins, a spice note and a fragrant finish. It’s drinkable now, but it will be better in two years.
— R.V.
(3/1/2013)
Lucien Lardy 2011 Les Thorins Gamay (Moulin-à-Vent)
- Editors' Choice
- $20
A densely tannic wine, showing the influence of Beaujolais’s granite soil, this is currently dominated by minerality and structure rather than fruit. Considering the weight of the wine, the fruitiness is likely to develop over the next 2–3 years.
— R.V.
(3/1/2013)
Georges Duboeuf 2009 Côte de Py Gamay (Morgon)
- Online Exclusive
From the most famous slope in Morgon, this is a powerful wine, its tannins still working their way into the fruit. Black cherries, and sweet plums are dominated by a firm, concentrated structure. Give this wine another year.
— R.V.
(12/31/2010)
Georges Duboeuf 2009 Domaine de la Chaponne Gamay (Morgon)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
As rich as it is tannic, this is powerful and concentrated. It shows the rich 2009 fruit at its best, full of sweet berries, deliciously ripe. Enjoyable, while it is also serious.
— R.V.
(12/31/2010)
Georges Duboeuf 2010 Domaine de la Chaponne Gamay (Morgon)
- Best Buy
- $15
The 2009 vintage of this wine was one of the stars from Georges Duboeuf, and this 2010 fits the same pattern. It has great richness, spice, black cherry fruits, the acidity offering the fruity side of the wine. Ready for aging two years.
— R.V.
(10/1/2011)
Paul Beaudet 2009 Côte de Py Gamay (Morgon)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $22
Big, ripe and opulent, its ripe tannins balanced by perfumed red fruits. There is a solid core of dark and smoky dryness, a center that promises good aging. Already, though, the wine is showing its concentration and richness.
— R.V.
(12/15/2011)
Henry Fessy 2009 Gamay (Fleurie)
- $20
A richly aromatic wine, with swathes of sweet fruit, ripe tannins and a juicy, jammy feel. This is so generous, open, welcoming. There is structure as well, cushioned by the sweet fruits.
— R.V.
(10/1/2011)
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