The Gamay grape has had a turbulent history. In 1395 Duke Philip the Bold concluded Gamay was “evil and disloyal,” and banished it from the northern half of Burgundy. For the past six centuries it has found refuge in Beaujolais, where it produces mostly simple reds — fruit-forward and inexpensive.
In June we happened across an small-scale, undiscovered Beaujolais producer named Jean-Marc Monnet. From a year with unusual sunshine and warmth, Monnet’s three Cru Beaujolais from 2015 are more intense and vibrant than any Beaujolais we’ve had before; Monnet ended up being one of most exciting discoveries of our trip.
Forget everything you know about Beaujolais (particularly nouveau), this is intense, delicious, inky red wine — think the fruit profile of a Pinot Noir, but the weight of a Northern Rhone Syrah.
We’re excited to release our first wine from Jean-Marc Monnet today: his 2015 Juliénas. Made from 25-50 year old vines, this is smooth, rich, complex and simply delicious. It has more concentration and energy than much Bourgogne rouge from further north, and comes in at about half the price.
The color is inky purple, with a dark and earthy nose showing cranberry and pure wild cherry. The mouthfeel is intense and smooth with a long, dense finish of graphite and violets. This is delicious and intense, but, as Jancis Robinson puts it, “meant to be drunk, not contemplated.” It’s best described in French as gouleyant, a wonderfully onomatopoeic word that means “gulpable,” and which perfectly captures the essence of good Beaujolais.
There’s no better wine for Thanksgiving than Beaujolais. Skip the Nouveau this year — for a buck more, Monnet’s dense, silky red might be the best $15 you’ll spend all fall.
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MONNET Juliénas 2015
Ansonia Retail: $19
case, half-case: $15/bot
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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS
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or call Tom: (617) 249-3657
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Terms of sale. Ansonia Wines MA sells wine to individual consumers who are 21 or more years of age, for personal consumption and not for resale. All sales are completed and title passes to purchasers in Massachusetts. Ansonia Wines MA arranges for shipping on behalf of its customers upon request and where applicable laws permit.