I have only had one 2015 Bojo so far, the Lapierre Morgon in magnum format (no idea if it was the S or the N version, although this was in France so perhaps the sans soufre). A very drinkable wine as it tends to be but certainly a lot riper than I would prefer with I believe an ABV of 13,5 %, which I think is on the high side for this style.
I had the same reaction RE abv. The 15 is definitely plusher than other vintages of this that I’ve tried.
First time trying this producer, thought I’ld post brief note. Apparently he learnt his craft working at Guy Breton and has in the past used vines owned by Jules Chauvet, which suggests he follows a ‘natural’ style, but you would not have necessarily picked that out from this wine.
2015 Karim Vionnet Chenas: True to the vintage, dark, concentrated purple colour. Initially maybe a hint of VA but this disappeared with about 10 min air. Nose of warm, ripe dark fruits, a touch of something earthy and rustic in the background adding a bit of interest but if served blind I might struggle to call as gamay. On the palate lots of ripe fruit, plenty of chew with slightly rough tannins and a bit of alcohol heat. But a great line of freshness keeping this in check and finishes with an interesting tangerine note.
Overall, really enjoyable to try a new producer, but again underscores my preference for more classic Beaujolais vintages: even though this did manage to stay fresh and lively I miss that tangy red fruit and brightness of flavour from my favorite 2014s or the rocky austerity of the 2013s.
I’ve bashed the 2015 Beaujolais that I’ve tried thus far, and here are my thoughts on the 2015 Coudert Roilette Tardive. Certainly a very dark fruited characteristic on the nose, and I get some impressions of oak. Honestly, this tastes more like a Griffe than a Tardive and I don’t think that’s such a bad thing. On the palate, I certainly get that dark fruit, some oak, but it’s all in balance with the acidity. Some pepper as well. This is pretty good! A huge difference from the base Roilette bottling, which I found quite poor from two different bottles.
The dupre 1935 wasn’t drinking badly yesterday!
I had the 2015 Metras Fleurie and what a wine it is. Not much on the snout but the body of this is not a bit jammy or alcohol rich as other 15’s can be. This is closer to 2009 or 2014 in general characteristics. This isn’t particularly light for a Fleurie either. Instead a full palate of gamay fruit with no noticeable sweetness, yet lively and dark fruits and a mild acid bite. This has the makings of a drink it or hold it wine with good outcomes either way. It took everything to not tip that whole bottle into my glass last night. Added a magnum and two more 750’s to the inventory.
I’m enjoying a 2015 Jean Loron [Beaujolais] with roti and red Leicester cheese right now. It’s a chewier, bigger Beaujolais than I’m used to, but I love the depth, the candy here. It’s 13% abv and a great summer chilled sipper. I’m not familiar with the producer but it seems like they are a Chenas based negociant who’ve been around since the 1700’s or so. Nose is bubblegum, bananas. Palate is red berries - raspberries and ripe strawberries. I think WB’s might cast stones since its commercially/popularly styled…but it works well for me. I’d give it a B for quality, but I’d reload, since its a useful refresher.
Do you guys typically age bojo? or do you crush them young? Im never able to resist drinking all my bottles when they’re young. Is aged Beaujolais better? or just different?
Different. Better is in the eye of the beholder. I prefer most wines mature, except Beaujolais and Kabinett. I do age some, in particular the Roilette, but most are so damn tasty in their youth and mid-life.
2015 Jean-Louis Dutraive (Domaine de la Grand’Cour) Fleurie Clos de la Grand’Cour - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Fleurie (9/20/2017)
Medium dark ruby color, starts with a slightly ripe crushed strawberry/raspberry nose; reflects the warmer 15 vintage, with that same strawberry/raspberry fruit, a bit on the riper end of the spectrum, just enough moderate acidity for balance, overall a bit simple and lacking in interest or complexity. Pleasant, gluggable, but unprofound. (87 pts.)
The vintage ripeness has scared me off of many of my usual Bojo forays. Last night I pulled: 2015 Jean Paul Thevenet Morgon VV.
Listed 14% abv. Dark fruit is at the forefront and dominates throughout with much more blackberry and plum than red fruit. Not pruney. It actually started with a touch of light spritz that blew off quickly. Not hot…but it is “heady”, for this bottling. Relatively dense and well integrated. Clearly a riper more lifted style than my preference. Decent acidity and quite drinkable, just not as pleasurable as my experiences with less ripe JP Thevenet vintages.
RT
I don’t believe that I have encountered a clearer and more consistent “vintage stamp” than that of the 2015 Beaujolais. They are dark and ripe, and some way too much so for my palate. I expect that some will stretch out with time and show more definition and nuance (such as Foillard), but I don’t find much of interest right now. Of all of those that I have tasted, Chanrion seems to have managed the ripeness best. I understand that some 2015 Beaujolais reached 17% ABV. Yikes!
That Chanrion you sent me was pretty killer. I have also really enjoyed the Chignard, Roilette and Thivin.
My favorite of the 2015s that I’ve tried so far has been the Chignard Juliénas Beauvernay followed by the Chanrion.
Here are some of my notes on a variety of 2015s:
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2015 Stephane Aviron Morgon Côte du Py Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon (11/4/2017)
Was somewhat concerned after I pulled the capsule off and found some wine residue and some mold on the top of the cork. Pulling the cork revealed that it was stained all the way to the top - it had leaked at some point, but must have stopped somewhere along the line. In any case, the wine tasted fine, despite the cork issues. The ripe vintage is on display here, but in a good way, with more of a savory tone than a jammy or roasted one. Really very nice and I enjoyed it. This producer seems to never disappoint. (89 pts.)
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2015 Stephane Aviron Chénas Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Chénas (11/8/2017)
Tasted over 2 days - consistent throughout. Ripe vintage is on display here, ripe with a lot of richness - in a good way. Lots of the Gamay “banana” on display here. Drinking very well from the pop 'n pour. Very high quality red for $15. I slightly preferred the 2015 Morgon from Aviron that I tried a few days ago, but this is worthy of repurchase as well. (88 pts.)
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2015 Chanrion Côte de Brouilly Domaine de la Voute des Crozes - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Côte de Brouilly (3/24/2017)
Pretty much agree with everything VINNUT writes in his recent note. This cuvee is usually on the more rustic side in normal vintages - not so in this ripe 2015 vintage, which suits it well. (90 pts.)
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2015 Domaine Chignard Juliénas Beauvernay - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Juliénas (2/18/2017)
Very attractive young Bojo. I’ve not had many 2015s yet (Dupeuble villages, Aufranc Chenas, Dubœuf Brouilly, and Lapierre Morgon) - this showed more like the Dubœuf which was more feminine and not as burly and large-scaled as the others, though this was better than the Dubœuf. Lots of lovely fruit, well-balanced, velvety mouthfeel, and with intriguing flavor profile of ripe Gamay with some mineral and iron elements on the finish. My only criticism would be weak aromatics at this stage. Wonderful wine. (91 pts.)
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2015 Domaine Dupeuble Pere et Fils Beaujolais - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais (1/16/2017)
Just a bruiser of a Beaujolais. Loads of varietal correct gamay with coffee grounds and coarse mouthfeel. Kind of wound up but still very forward. Not really sure what to think at this point - I didn’t love it, but I can see this improving as it sheds its baby fat in a year or two.
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2015 Domaine Pascal Aufranc Chénas en Rémont - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Chénas (12/11/2016)
Not sure what to make of these 2015s Bojos. This wine was very similar to the Depeuble village bottle I tried from a couple of weeks ago. Many of the same characteristics; coarse tannins, coffee grounds, loads of ripe fruit (but not what I’d call overripe) with some earthy notes. Really a burly, muscular Bojo, with structure. I’m thinking this could be a vintage to age. (89 pts.)
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2015 Georges Dubœuf Brouilly Château de Nervers - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Brouilly (12/2/2016)
I’ve never encountered a wine that has very good weight and depth but weak concentration. I would not have thought it possible. But that’s how I would describe this wine. The flavor profile is actually very attractive but in the end, I always seem to be disappointed in Dubœuf wines. (87 pts.)
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2015 Domaine Dupeuble Pere et Fils Beaujolais - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais (11/26/2016)
Lots of earthy fruit in a burly package, with very coarse tannins. Tons of fruit and structure. A strong coffee ground feel to it. Good vintage for this wine. 2015 Bojo is shaping up to be a good vintage for lesser wines, I think. (89 pts.)
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2015 Marcel Lapierre Morgon - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon (11/24/2016)
I’m leaning toward DIGGYDAN’s note below about this being overripe Bojo. This wine’s all about forward, ripe, sweet fruit and has little of the elegance that I usually associate with this wine. Still, it did go very well with the bird at Thanksgiving dinner, but I’m not going to go out and purchase any more bottles. Laying this one down and letting the exuberant, youthful fruit settle down may help this, but I wouldn’t count on it. (89 pts.)
I had a 2015 Lapierre a few weeks ago, was not drinking in a good place…at all. Otoh, 2015 Thivin is still just amazing.
The 2015 Diochon Vieiles Vignes has great cranberry and rhubarb character, and lots of structure (fine tannins). I’d wait a few years to open another one.
I have a couple of Beaujolais newbie questions…
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Do these wines actually get better with age, or just different?
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I noticed with the last bottle of '15 I had that the nose was spectacular and almost sweet, but the finish was a bit tart. Is this typical?
Thanks!
2015 Jean Foillard Morgon Cuvée Corcelette might be the ripest Beaujolais I have ever had but man the fruit is delicious! I don’t have enough experience to know how long this will hold up but I will put a few away.
A long time if stored cool.
Tonight, I had among the best 2015s that I have tasted, the Terres Dorees Moulin a Vent. I never would have guessed 2015. The fruit is ripe but still crunchy, and it is cool, clean and fresh. I expect that it will make for good drinking now, in 15 years, and in between.
Thanks Martin, I will pick up a few of the Terres Dorees to try!