Beaujolais Without The Nouveau

Beaujolais All Grown Up

The third Thursday of November is only 2 weeks away and with it comes a favourite unofficial holiday much loved in the wine world, Beaujolais Nouveau Day. While it’s all about celebrating the first wines of the new harvest, we think it’s also the perfect time to shine a light on Beaujolais at its best; expressive, elegant, and seriously worth cellaring.

We’ve just welcomed some new arrivals that show off the region’s more refined side — "Beaujolais All Grown Up". We have few must-try Crus and a hidden gem of a village you’ll want to discover, quietly building a reputation for excellence while remaining one of the region’s best-kept secrets.

Jean-Marc Burgaud, Beaujolais Lantignié, France 2023 - BUY HERE

€26.95

Lantignié may not be one of the ten Beaujolais crus, but it’s a village well worth noticing. Despite holding AOC status since the 1930s, its wines have often been sold as Beaujolais-Villages, keeping its identity somewhat under the radar. The area’s diverse soils — from blue stone in the east to pink granite and granitic sand in the west — mirror those of some of Beaujolais’s most renowned crus. This range of soils makes for some excellent and varied expressions of Gamay which also offer great value.

Monsieur Côte du Py’ Jean-Marc Burgaud has always produced wine from his native Lantignié with excellent (and affordable) results. “Judge a domaine on its entry point wine,” says Jean-Marc. “I do as much work in the vineyard and cellar on this wine as I do on my Côte du Py.

A vibrant, expressive Beaujolais with fresh red-fruit charm and lively structure, perfect with roast poultry, charcuterie, or autumn vegetables.

Morgon `Côte du Py`, Jean-Marc Burgaud, Beaujolais, France 2023 - BUY HERE

€35.95

The largest of the Beaujolais Cru, Morgon tends to produce more brooding, robust expressions of Gamay thanks to its granitic soils, blended with blue stone. It is home to the famed ‘Côte du Py’ vineyard, which also marks the highest point in the village at an elevation of roughly 360 meters.

Jean-Marc Burgaud is known as ‘Monsieur Côte du Py’ for good reason, with Neal Martin (Vinous.com) describing him as “a master working in the Côte du Py who can occasionally evoke almost Pinot-like characteristics."

A structured, complex Morgon with dark-fruit depth and mineral finesse, perfect with game, roast meats, or earthy seasonal dishes.

Guillaume Chanudet, Fleurie `La Madone`, Beaujolais, France 2022 - BUY HERE

€37.95

Home to Beaujolais’ famed pink-granite soils, Fleurie is one of the 10 Beaujolais Cru and, as its name suggests, is often the source of fragrant, slightly floral expressions of Gamay. Its undulating landscape makes for a range of elevations, with top vineyards, like ‘La Madone’ found at their peaks.

Guillaume Chanudet is the fifth generation of his family to tend vines in the Beaujolais Cru of Fleurie. His poised expression of ‘La Madone’ hails from a 1.2-hectare plot within the vineyard, planted by Guillaume’s grandfather in 1963. An elegant Fleurie with silky charm, perfect with poultry, soft cheeses, or autumn vegetable dishes.

Château du Moulin-à-Vent, Moulin-à-Vent, Beaujolais, France 2022 - BUY HERE

€38.95

Moulin-à-Vent takes its name from the famed windmill that sits at its peak, surrounded by vineyards. Château du Moulin-à-Vent is one of its leading producers. Since taking over the estate in 2009, Jean-Jacques Parinet and his son Edouard have overhauled their vineyards, converting them to organic, with biodynamic practices and focusing on improving soil health.

A complex and elegant Cru Beaujolais with depth and finesse, where richness meets refinement. Perfect with roast duck, lamb, or mushroom risotto.

Frédéric Berne, Morgon `Corcelette` Beaujolais, France 2022 - BUY HERE

€39.95

The 'Corcelette' vineyard, to the north of Morgon, is one of top sites of the Cru, renowned for its wines of great intensity and mineral expression.

A vibrant and expressive Morgon revealing layers of dark cherry, blackberry and floral spice with a supple, polished texture. Beautifully balanced and complex, it pairs perfectly with roast pork, game or poultry.