Beaujolais

This was something of a tasting of two halves. The basic AC Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages wines generated little excitement. They did a solid job in midfield fetching and carrying, but mostly didn’t get the spectators out of their seats.

The crus were more crowd-pleasing, with better concentration, structure and lift. And, although the prices here are not the amazing value for money they used to be four or five years ago, they remained pretty fair.

From The Tasting Teams

‘The AC Beaujolais were average wines. There was no wow factor, and the value for money wasn’t there.’ Lionel Periner, team leader

‘There were many different styles [in the cru flight] with pretty decent examples of each, and it was really interesting to see the variation.’ Daniel Eriksen, Anglian Country Inns

‘Beaujolais are often interesting, especially for novice drinkers.’ Mikolaj Harmider, Cava Spiliadis Collection and Simpsons Restaurant

‘The crus were definitely more structured wines, more elegant, with better fruit quality. In the past five years, I think Beaujolais crus have improved enormously.’ Vivienne Franks, wine educator

‘Nice, light and typical for Beaujolais, but there was no wow factor.’ Mikolaj Harmider, Cava Spiliadis Collection and Simpsons Restaurant

Award winners

Found 11 wines

France: Beaujolais

Mommessin, Les Grandes Mises, Côte de Brouilly 2018, Beaujolais , France

'Tart raspberry and cherry notes with some minty herb notes. The complexity builds as it opens in the glass.'
Tim Smith, Winesurfer Consulting.

'Great red fruit aromas leading to a palate with juicy acidity. Great on its own, or with light meat dishes.'
Lionel Periner, team leader.

'Silky tannins and a spicy finish, with some stony minerality too.'
Mikolaj Harmider, Cava Spiliadis Collection and Simpsons Restaurant.

£11.38 Matthew Clark

Maison Jean Loron, Domaine du Sabot, Beaujolais-Villages 2019, Beaujolais, France

'There's soft, supple fruit here, with a little herbaceous lift, leading to more soft berries on the dense palate.'
Dave Cushley, Prestonfield House.

'Fresh, juicy red-cherry fruit, with some crisp acidity and an elegant style overall.'
Vivienne Franks, Aspects of Wine.

'Strawberry and raspberry notes along with some green tobacco and mild earth.'
Tim Smith, Winesurfer Consulting.

£7.53 Majestic Commercial

Louis Jadot, Chateau des Jacques, Morgon 2016, Beaujolais, France

'Classic Gamay notes, with berries and floral characters on the nose, leading to some dry tannins on the palate.'
Lionel Periner, team leader.

'Balanced tannins, with notes of raspberries, a hint of blackberry, and some modest spice notes, with crushed black pepper on the finish.'
Gary Newborough, The Aristologist.

£11.11 Hatch Mansfield, Matthew Clark

Mommessin, Les Grandes Mises, Saint-Amour 2018, Beaujolais, France

'Crisp and fresh black plums and cherries, with ripe tannins and a well-balanced finish.'
Vivienne Franks, Aspects of Wine.

'Some violet and juicy cherry notes leading to a minty freshness, with light oak spices.'
Tom Forrest, team leader.

'Darker fruit leading to a cool palate, with some tannin and complexity.'
Dave Cushley, Prestonfield House.

£12.21 Matthew Clark

Henry Fessy, Beaujolais-Villages 2018, Beaujolais, France

'Lovely ripe fruit with good structure, leading to a rich palate with a good clean finish.'
Daniel Eriksen, Anglian Country Inns.

'Light and delicate, with subtle red fruits.'
Dave Cushley, Prestonfield House.

'Raspberry and strawberry, with some red and black cherry too, and a kirsch note.'
Romain de Courcy, The Ritz Paris.

£8.85 Louis Latour Agencies

Selection du Baron de la Vauxonne, Brouilly 2018, Beaujolais, France

'Elegant aromas of red berries and flowers, leading to a juicy palate with good acidity.'
Lionel Periner, team leader.

'Elegant, with forest berries and good balance.'
Mikolaj Harmider, Cava Spiliadis Collection and Simpsons Restaurant.

'Smooth and elegant, with balanced tannins.'
Gary Newborough, The Aristologist.

£10.60 Bibendum

Chateau de Grand Pré, Morgon 2018, Beaujolais, France

'Crunchy red fruit notes of cherry and cranberry, leading to a fresh and delicate palate with pure fruit expression. A good food wine.'
Daniel Eriksen, Anglian Country Inns.

'Ripe red fruit with some green bell pepper - this has some structure, and an elegant finish with good acidity.'
Lionel Periner, team leader.

£14.85 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Winner Details