2017 beaujolais cru - the wine society · 2019-03-29 · trenel, fleurie 2017 floral-scented as the...

BCAPR19

2017 Beaujolais Cru

FROM NORTH TO SOUTH

SAINT-AMOUR: One of the smallest crus and rarely seen in the UK, the wines tend to be easy-drinking and instantly appealing, but no lesss serious than their neighbours.

JULIÉNAS: Spicy and fuller-bodied, often more structured and powerful with good ageing potential.

CHÉNAS: The smallest of the crus and used to be part of Moulin-à-Vent until its particular character became evident. Generally fuller-bodied, mineral wines with good purity.

MOULIN-À-VENT: The longest-lived wines which are more on the robust side, often seeing some oak ageing.

FLEURIE: Pink granite soils here give the wines their floral, aromatic character and silky texture. The most popular cru among members.

CHIROUBLES: The cru with the highest altitude and lowest average temperatures, leading to lively, bright, more delicate wines which are approachable early.

MORGON: Second only to Moulin-à-Vent for structure and weight; predominantly granite soils produce serious, concentrated wines with plenty of ageing potential.

RÉGNIÉ: The youngest and least known of the crus which produces bright, appealing wines for earlier drinking.

CÔTE DE BROUILLY: On a volcanic hill with vineyards at all points of the compass so can produce wines of different levels of ripeness. In general the wines are ripe with good concentration and bouquet.

BROUILLY: Largest and most southerly of the crus with quite diverse soils and exposures, the best wines are user-friendly, fruit-driven and appealing with a floral edge.

These are tremendously exciting times for the Beaujolais region. Gone are the days of its awful ‘nouveau’ reputation from the 1970s – Beaujolais wines are once again recognised for their world-class quality.

The top of the quality pyramid here is the so-called ‘crus’: the 10 villages long believed to produce the very finest expressions of the gamay grape. Each has a unique style – see below for my handy guide.

Talk of soils might seem geeky, but it’s a big part of what makes Beaujolais special. With some of the most diverse soil of any wine region – you can find several different types even in the same village – Beaujolais is a winemaker’s (and indeed geologist’s!) dream: each soil type lends subtle nuances to the finished wines.

You’ll find examples of all 10 villages here, from some of Beaujolais’ finest winemakers, and all from 2017. Though a small vintage due to widespread hail damage, 2017 produced classically styled Beaujolais with pure ripe fruit and attractive perfume. Most are ready to uncork immediately, but your patience will be rewarded if you age these a while longer.

With Burgundy prices little short of stratospheric, savvy drinkers are turning their attentions a few dozen kilometres south, where authentic wines with character and individuality can be found at much less eye-watering prices.

I hope you enjoy my selection!

Tim Sykes Your buyer for Beaujolais

2017 BEAUJOLAIS CRU

THE STYLE OF THE 10 BEAUJOLAIS CRUS

To order thewinesociety.com/beaujolais 01438 741177

SAINT-AMOUR

Saint-Amour, Trenel 2017

A friendly, supple and juicy example of the lesser-known Saint-Amour cru, with creamy texture and classic red-fruit overtones. This is benchmark Beaujolais. Drink now to 2022. 13.5% ref BC-BJ7831£12.50 bottle £150 dozen

JULIÉNAS

Domaine du Carjot, Juliénas Les Capitans 2017

A successful vintage in the northern Beaujolais cru of Juliénas produced this polished and well-balanced wine with plenty of dark-fruit character and a lovely, long, supple finish. 13% ref BC-BJ7631 £9.95 bottle £119 dozen

CHÉNAS

Stéphane Aviron, Chénas 2017

This was a new addition to the range last year, and comes from vines planted over a century ago. The 2017 has the typical Chénas structure, density and fruit purity with impressive length. A good-value buy. Drink now to 2021. 12.5% ref BC-BJ7861£10.95 bottle £131 dozen

MOULIN-À-VENT

Domaine du Moulin d'Eole, Moulin-à-Vent Les Thorins 2017

This classy, generous cru Beaujolais was matured in concrete vats for maximum fruit expression, with mouthwatering results. A succulent and satisfying Moulin-à-Vent with notes of wild cherries on the finish. Drink now to 2022. 13.5%ref BC-BJ7701£11.95 bottle £143 dozen

Château du Moulin-à-Vent, Moulin-à-Vent 2017

This is a property that is at last realising its full potential. A dark, juicy and appealing wine with hallmark Moulin-à-Vent structure, but backed up with fine ripe tannins. Drink now to 2023. 13%ref BC-BJ7821£18 bottle £216 dozen

Château de Beauregard, Moulin-à-Vent Clos des Pérelles 2017

A full and concentrated wine from vines planted on clay-based soils, this is a style of Beaujolais that will be excellent with hearty stews or oven-roasted vegetables. A powerful style of Moulin-à-Vent that will benefit from further ageing. Drink from the second half of 2019 to 2028. 13.5% ref BC-BJ7721 £20 bottle £240 dozen

Château de Beauregard, Moulin-à-Vent La Salomine 2017

A very fine, elegant wine and one of the jewels in the Beauregard crown. Impressively, the vineyard was planted over 100 years ago, and this combined with its granite soils and 400m altitude results in a wine with beautiful minerality and freshness. Almost Burgundian in style. Drink now to 2025. 13% ref BC-BJ7741 £21.50 bottle £258 dozen

FLEURIE

The Society's Exhibition Fleurie 2017

Textbook floral Fleurie with intensely perfumed aromas and a ripe yet fresh palate. Deservedly our best-selling cru Beaujolais, made in partnership with the excellent négociant Les Vins Aujoux, who we’ve been working with for over 50 years. Drink this year and next. 13% ref BC-BJ7551 £10.50 bottle £126 dozen

Domaine Montangeron, Fleurie 2017

Hail in 2017 meant that only a small quantity of this Fleurie was produced, but the quality is excellent. This is a ripe, perfumed Beaujolais, delivering plenty of pleasure now, but with the structure to keep. A perfect match for poached salmon or roast chicken. Drink now to 2022. 13%ref BC-BJ7651£11.50 bottle £138 dozen

The famous Moulin-à-Vent (or windmill)

Trenel, Fleurie 2017

Floral-scented as the Fleurie name promises, with polished, lively fruit on the palate, this is an attractive and well-priced Beaujolais which has plenty of charm. Drink now to 2021. 13% ref BC-BJ7841 £11.50 bottle £138 dozen

Stéphane Aviron, Domaine de la Madrière, Fleurie La Madone Vieilles Vignes 2017

From vines between 40 and 80 years old, located on the steep slopes of the famed La Madone vineyard, this is Stéphane Aviron's top Fleurie. A perfumed nose of crushed red fruit with a hint of pepper gives way to a silky texture and a pure, mineral finish. Drink now to 2021. 13% ref BC-BJ7851 £11.95 bottle £143 dozen

Domaine Coudert, Clos de la Roilette Fleurie 2017

Although a Fleurie, this comes from a vineyard bordering Moulin-à-Vent, resulting in a pleasing blend of the former cru’s perfume and the latter’s body. Fine tannins and exceptional balance prove that – despite this area being badly hit by hail in 2017 – thankfully quality wasn't affected. Drink now to 2023. 13% ref BC-BJ7671 £12.95 bottle £155 dozen

Domaine Coudert, Clos de la Roilette, Fleurie Cuvée Tardive 2017

A dense, succulent Beaujolais of exceptional quality, made from 80-year-old vines. As the name suggests (tardive means ‘late’), this cuvée needs to spend slightly longer in bottle than most before uncorking, but it's always worth the wait! Drink 2020 to 2024. 13% ref BC-BJ7661£13.95 bottle £167 dozen

Château de Beauregard, Fleurie Poncié 2017

From old vines planted high up on Fleurie’s typical pink granite soils, this is a fine, floral wine with the village’s hallmark freshness and softness. Classic Fleurie, in other words. Drink now to 2022. 13%ref BC-BJ7731£14.95 bottle £179 dozen

Jean-Paul Brun Les Terres Dorées Fleurie 2017

Jean-Paul Brun describes this wine as aerien which can roughly be translated as ‘ethereal’. With a floral bouquet and notes of raspberries and violets, it is a more full-flavoured style of Fleurie which will hit its stride in the second half of this year, and happily keep until 2022. 12.5% ref BC-BJ7881£16 bottle £192 dozen

Château de Beauregard, Fleurie Colonies de Rochegrès 2017

This comes from a superbly sited vineyard, formerly owned by the excellent Château des Jacques, including some old vines planted shortly after World War Two. It borders Moulin-à-Vent, so this wine has its neighbouring cru’s richness and body as well as Fleurie’s elegance and perfume. Drink from the second half of 2019 to 2024. 13.5% ref BC-BJ7711 £17 bottle £204 dozen

CHIROUBLES

Domaine du Moulin d'Eole, Chiroubles 2017

A lovely, pure expression of Beaujolais and the gamay grape, from south-facing vineyards planted in shallow granite soils. Despite the vineyard’s altitude, the grapes ripen well in most years, and 2017 is no exception. Fresh and appealing, with food-friendly grip on the finish. Drink now to 2022. 13%ref BC-BJ7691£10.50 bottle £126 dozen

MORGON

Domaine Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Les Charmes 2017

From a tiny plot of vines planted in 1934, this is a delicate, perfumed style of Morgon which provides a fascinating contrast to Burgaud's more structured Morgon Côte du Py. Charmes by name and charming in character! Drink now to 2023. 13%ref BC-BJ7771£14.50 bottle £174 dozen

Côte de Brouilly Domaine de la Voûte des Crozes, Nicole Chanrion 2017

The charming Nicole Chanrion, doyenne of the Côte de Brouilly cru, has fashioned a polished and elegant wine in 2017 with black-cherry fruit in abundance. A wine of exceptional purity and balance. Drink now to 2022. 13.5% ref BC-BJ7811 £14.50 bottle £174 dozen

Château Thivin, Côte de Brouilly Les Sept Vignes 2017

A blend of grapes from seven different vineyard plots, this Côte de Brouilly displays concentrated, brambly fruit character and good balance, with a mineral edge on the finish. Drink now to 2023. 13.5% ref BC-BJ7791 £16.50 bottle £198 dozen

Château Thivin, Côte de Brouilly Godefroy 2017

Made with fruit from incredibly old vines planted nearly 100 years ago, this is a beautifully balanced, refined and perfumed Côte de Brouilly with attractive notes of wild cherries on the palate and an exquisitely pure finish. Drink from the second half of 2019 to 2023. 13.5% ref BC-BJ7801£20 bottle £240 dozen

BROUILLY

Domaine des Côteaux de Font Curé, Brouilly 2017

High-altitude vines give this attractive, well-priced Brouilly a refreshing, brambly fruit character and silky texture. Lovely now, but this also has the potential to age well. 13% ref BC-BJ7611 £9.95 bottle £119 dozen

Domaine Durand, Pisse Vieille Brouilly 2017

An ample, round and full-flavoured Beaujolais with ripe fruit and soft tannins. Full of charm despite its somewhat less-than-charming name! 13.5% ref BC-BJ7621 £9.95 bottle £119 dozen

Domaine Coudert, Brouilly 2017

Fresh, round and well-balanced Brouilly from one of the top names in Beaujolais. A little time in large old oak barrels has softened and sweetened the tannins nicely. Drink now to 2022. 13% ref BC-BJ7681 £11.50 bottle £138 dozen

MORGON (continued)

Domaine Jean-Marc Burgaud, Morgon Côte du Py 2017

The Côte du Py vineyard is on a plateau on top of a hill, where the schist soils produce wines combining controlled power and minerality in an original way. The overall effect is of intensity and elegance and, like most Morgon, this wine has great ageing potential. Drink now to 2025. 13% ref BC-BJ7751 £15.50 bottle £186 dozen

RÉGNIÉ

Domaine Jean-Marc Burgaud, Régnié Vallières 2017

A Wine Society exclusive for well over a decade, Jean-Marc Burgaud’s Régnié comes from a tiny, one-hectare vineyard. Bottled early to capture the fruity exuberance typical of the cru, this is delightfully pure, approachable and juicy, with succulent texture. Lovely with roast pork. Drink now to 2021. 12.5% ref BC-BJ7761 £13.95 bottle £167 dozen

CÔTE DE BROUILLY

Côte de Brouilly Cuvée des Ambassades, Domaine Pavillon de Chavannes 2017

A classically styled Côte de Brouilly from one of Beaujolais’ greatest estates, with soft red-fruit notes and an attractively mellow texture. This wine was often chosen by the French government for use in embassies across the world thanks to its benchmark style. Drink now to 2022. 12.5% ref BC-BJ7891 £12.95 bottle £155 dozen

Look out for a report on Tim's

trip to buy these wines at

thewinesociety.com/discovery

Cru Beaujolais vineyards, with Mont Brouilly in the distance.

The Wine Society, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2BT

thewinesociety.com/beaujolais01438 741177

BEAUJOLAIS 2017 CRU CLASSICS CASETwo bottles each of six classic Beaujolais crus to show you this region’s delicious diversity.

A 12-bottle case containing two bottles of each of the following wines:




Domaine Jean-Marc Burgaud, Régnié Vallières 2017



£135ref BC-MX1967

EXPLORE BEAUJOLAIS 2017 CRUS DOZENTake a tour around the majority of Beaujolais’ 10 crus – from Morgon to Moulin-à-Vent – in this delectable dozen.

A 12-bottle case containing one bottle of each of the following wines:

Domaine Durand, Pisse Vieille Brouilly 2017

Saint Amour, Trenel 2017

Domaine Jean-Marc Burgaud, Morgon Côte du Py 2017

Côte de Brouilly Dom. de la Voûte des Crozes, Nicole Chanrion 2017





Domaine Coudert, Brouilly 2017



Domaine du Moulin d'Eole, Chiroubles 2017

£135ref BC-MX1969

FLEURIE 2017 CASETaste your way through six examples of one of Beaujolais’ best-loved cru villages.

A six-bottle case containing one bottle of each of the following wines:


Domaine Coudert, Clos de la Roilette Fleurie 2017

Stéphane Aviron, Domaine de la Madrière, Fleurie La Madone Vieilles Vignes 2017


Trenel, Fleurie 2017

Château de Beauregard, Fleurie Poncié 2017

£72ref BC-MX1968

This offer is open until Sunday 5th May, 2019 while stocks last.

Our buyers only source the wines they trulybelieve in, so you can explore with 100%confidence. And if you don’t like a wine for anyreason, we’ll give you a refund. Find out more atthewinesociety.com/passionbeforeprofit

MIXED CASES – FREE UK DELIVERY

SAVE £7.50

SAVE £7.25

2017 beaujolais cru - the wine society · 2019-03-29 · trenel, fleurie 2017 floral-scented as the...

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