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.
Henry Fessy 2009 Gamay (Saint-Amour)
- Cellar Selection
- $20
Ripe, rounded and generous, a warm plum juice-flavored wine. There is power and concentration. It is a very complete, ageworthy wine, although accessible now.
— R.V.
(10/1/2011)
Marcel Lapierre 2006 Gamay (Morgon)
- $22
Lapierre bottled two versions of this wine, one using no sulfur, one using some sulfur. It makes a fascinating contrast, but this version without sulfur is inevitably the better, not losing one iota of the ripe fruit, the rich cherries and immediately attractive bonbon and candy flavors.
— R.V.
(9/1/2008)
Jean-Paul Thevenet 2006 Gamay (Morgon)
- $30
A very structured wine with tannins and dense fruit. Very Pinot Noir-like in its richness, smoothness and plum flavors. Deliciously rich and velvety smooth.
— R.V.
(9/1/2008)
Château du Chatelard 2007 Les Vieux Granits Gamay (Fleurie)
- $21
This is a big, concentrated wine, impressive for 2007. There are solid tannins, with additional great acidity, and plenty of structure and ripeness. Red plums give a finishing lift.
— R.V.
(9/1/2008)
Château du Chatelard 2006 Cuvée Tradition Gamay (Fleurie)
- Cellar Selection
- $25
Aged in wood, this cuvée is powerful, ripe and intense. The jellied red fruits are all sweet and rich, touched by acidity but mainly with good depth of flavor and structure. It would even be worth aging this for another year.
— R.V.
(9/1/2008)
Domaine Chignard 2005 Cuvée Spéciale Gamay (Fleurie)
- $22
Gamay often becomes more like Pinot Noir as it ages. That’s true of this wine, which displays strawberry and spice flavors, as well as an element of minerality. The aftertaste has ripe blackberry jelly.
— R.V.
(9/1/2008)
Mommessin 2006 Les 3 Terroirs Grande Exception Gamay (Saint-Amour)
- $27
This wine is part of the limited edition range of wines that is setting a new standard at Mommessin. With its smooth, rich character, flavors of chocolate, red berry fruits and balanced wood, it is worth aging.
— R.V.
(11/1/2009)
Domaine du Vissoux 2008 Les Garants Gamay (Fleurie)
A firmly tannic wine, a complete contrast to Pierre Chermette’s other Fleurie, Poncié. This is serious, full of dark tannins, black plums and firm fruit, very solid. There is even a touch of minerality to add to the complex texture.
— R.V.
(11/1/2009)
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