Rating 2000s Beajolais Vintages

Given the great success of the recent Burgundy vintage threads and the discussion of some vintages in other threads; I felt that a thread of this nature would be really informing. So what does this board say of ranking or rating the vintages of the last decade of the Beaujolais? What is drinking well now, what vintages have surpassed their initial reviews, any that have fallen flat, etc.? Thanks in advance

Are there thoughts about the quality level of the 2013 vintage? I just got an offer notice on the '13 Lapierre Morgon and trying to decide whether or not to pull the trigger.

The '07s I’ve had have been good, but need air. I loved the '05s but was shortsighted and drank them all. Same for the '03s, that were good but I think started to come undone (for my palate) due to the heat of the summer that year.

This is difficult because I’d say that prior to 2005, maybe even prior to 2009, a lot of the producers that are good today either weren’t even active back then or were not at the quality level they’re on today (still improving). I think, ranking the post 2000 vintages is, therefore, an exercise that’s more academic than having any practical usefulness.

That being said, my absolute favorite vintage is 2005. I also like a lot of 2011s a lot. Every grower there absolutely LOVES 2009 and I guess they know what they’re talking about, even if some of the wines seemed a bit sunny for quite a while and are just slowly starting to take shape. 2012s are generally quite lean, 2008s and 2010s are also lean, but have more substance in my view.

I’ll take a try at this:


2005 - absolute favorite vintage - drinking spectacular at the moment
2010
2011 - '10,‘11’,'12 reflects the rise in overall quality of Beaujolais
2012
2009 - A little ripe for my taste, but I think with time these will come around very nicely and may prove better than 5th place
2006 - Did not have a lot of this vintage, but my last 06 Lapierre, consumed more than a year ago still lingers. A young ballerina dancing on my tongue. Light, sexy, elegant.
2003
2007
2008

For me, I think I’d put 2011, 2009, and 2007, in that order, ahead of 2010 and 2012.

Chacun, etc.

+1 on this. I think pound-for-pound, the 2011s are my favorite of the past decade, if not the longest-lived of the bunch, and the 2007s are underrated. I loved the 2009s on release but have never recaptured the magic of the early bottles (here’s hoping they’re just closed for a bit).

I’ve asked this elsewhere, but will ask again here: who’s tried some '13’s, and how are they?

What do you guys like about 2007s? I think there are decent wines from that vintage, but nothing special.

I’m really not sure about 2008 and 2010. The 2008s I had recently were all pretty hard. I don’t think Beaujolais from 2008 will ever be flattering, but I do have some hope that they become more accessible with time. Same with 2010. Good depth, nice minerality but I feel like tannins and acidity are pretty strong in some wines and the fruit may not be plentiful enough to prevent the wines from simply being dry when they have aged. But who knows? The good wines could turn out to be spectacular.

Ian, I’ve had a few bottled 2013s from Vissoux and Raphael Chopin and tried a few wines from cask at Richard Rottiers. I liked them, in my view, they’re better than the same wines from 2012.

I have a similar feeling regarding the 2013s

2005
2009
2000 – the Foillard is amazing. Or was, anyway
2002 – drink up
2007
2006
2004
2008
2001
2003 – very erratic, with a few nice bottles

I’d put them in 3 tiers, with 2000, 2005, 2009 all first rate vintages, 2002, 2006, 2007 all mid-tier. The 2009s may eventually be the best of the decade.

This is what I’ve read on french forums, I have little experience on Beaujolais: 2009, 2011 and 2013 are very good to great vintages, superior to 2010 or 2012.
It seems that 2011 will be the best of the three, but it’s a bit difficult to say at this stage.

Other than that, 2005 was also a success as much of France that year (except Corsica).
Not sure about other vintages so I won’t comment.

Alain

They had good sincerity and charm for drinking in the short- to medium term - somewhat like red Burgundy from the same vintage, which I also personally rate fairly highly, despite its lack of legs for the long haul. I’m still drinking through my 07 Desvignes Morgon Javernieres, and they are very good.

Well, hard to exactly rate for me, since I don’t always buy every vintage. Best would be 2005, followed by (probably catch shit for saying so) 2009. Only had one 2011 and it was excellent (Vissoux, I believe) and haven’t opened any of my 2010’s yet. 2007 and 2008 can have their charms, but in a lighter vein.

+2 especially the 2013 Clos de la Roillette Fleurie