Offers for the first 2012 Beaujolais, including some Crus, are slowly trickling in while some producers are just issuing their 2011s (e.g. Foillard Côte du Py), 2010s (e.g. Clos de MEZ) and even 2009s (e.g. Desjourneys). Has anyone already tried some 2012 Beaujolais? I already bought some 2012 (Daniel Bouland, Dutraive “Champagne”), but I’m not sure yet how long to go on 2012. I bought copious amounts of 2011 and continue to do so and there are also still lots of bottles from 2009 and 2010 and previous vintages in the cellar. I could use a little break, but I heard that while quantities were disastreous, qualities are good again.
Quality was variable IMO with some very attractive wines if you like the leaner of style of e.g. 2010. But it was variable enough that I would recommend trying before buying quantity. Which producers were you thinking of?
Hi Otto,
many thanks for your short input. In Germany, it’s not easy to get some producers (like Dutraive). Of the ones that relase now or soon, I was thinking of the producers I usually buy: Vissoux Fleuries and Moulin-à-Vent “Trois Roches”, Marcel Lapierre Morgon, Jean-Paul Brun Fleurie, Fleurie Grille Midi and Moulin-à-Vent, maybe Burgaud Morgons, Château Thivin whole line-up, Desvignes Morgons, Julie Balagny (let’s see if there’ll be more than one Fleurie cuvée), maybe Descombes Brouilly and Morgon, maybe Clos de la Roilette Cuvée Tardive. I’ll also be able to buy Julien Sunier’s Regnié, Fleurie and Morgon for the first time this year, but I’ve never tried his wines before.
Brun and Dutraive were great. Lapierre was very good, too. I still haven’t got my 2012 Burgauds so can’t say about them yet but they tend to be so tough young that I wasn’t going to open them now anyway. Balagny’s barrel samples were ethereally beautiful and are something I’ll look for, though I haven’t tried the finished product(s). Sunier I have only tried in 2011 so can’t say for sure, but those were definitely in a style that I’d like to try 2012, too. No idea on the others on your list, sorry! 
Steven, with your cellar filled with previous vintages, it sounds like you an afford to be picky. Roilette and Lapierre have their 2012s in the US. Both the regular and tardive Roilette are high quality as usual. Haven’t tried the Lapierre. That’s a strong line-up of producers and I’d expect them to lead the pack every year. Does Cru Beaujolais sell out so fast in Germany that you don’t get a chance to taste first?
Is Spatburgunder ever competitive cost-wise with Cru Beaujolais?
RT
Steven,
We represent Burgaud is Washington state and have had a very positive response to their wines.
We have only brought in the Thulon and Morgon py to start but were sold out of 25 cases in 2 weeks of the Thulon and about sold about 15 cs of the Morgon in that same time frame, just as a point of reference for how are customers are receiving them.
For me the Thulon is a great deal, it is certainly doesn’t have the stuffing of the Morgon but it is crisp with fresh blueberry, chalk, pepper, iron and just a little grip at the end to bring it together.
The Morgon has a more present fruit profile, not riper but just a little bit deeper and more obvious.
The wine has a little barrel note with underlying pepper, chalk and iron with crisp acid.
I like them both for different purposes.
Have you had Desjourneys wines before?
The Vissoux normale seemed poor compared to prior vintages, but that was one data point. I’ll wait on others, but with good '11s available (and good 2009 and 2010 still around at times), I won’t buy up '12s until I have a compelling reason to do so.
Thanks for all the replies. I may just take the risk that some of my every-year favorites are sold out before I buy them. In any case, I usually don’t buy more than 2-4 bottles of any wine anyhow.
Actually, it depends on the producer and the bottling. Bouland is usually generally sold out super fast. I got my 2012s through a friend who bought them at the domaine just a few weeks ago. He had reserved some bottles already a while ago and told me that Bouland is already sold out of 2012s ex domaine. Marcel Lapierre’s Morgon (not the special cuvée), Clos de la Roilette (regular and Tardive) and all Vissoux are usually available for a while, so I’ll just pick up some bottles to try. And whenever I come across any bottle of Dutraive I buy it regardless of vintage. There’s no official importer, so I have to be lucky that someone brings me some bottles along when in France.
Whether Spätburgunder is competitive cost-wise with Cru Beaujolais is probably a question of personal taste. I know a lot of people who absolutely detest Beaujolais generally. They just don’t like it. I, for myself, love it and I’m in general not a big fan of Spätburgunder as it is produced these days. Prices for Spätburgunder are going crazy in the past two years. The most expensive ones (August Kesseler, Bernhard Huber Wildenstein R, Seeger RRR, Chat Sauvage) are now at a price of 120 Euros/bottle (i.e. the price of already really good Grand Cru Burgundy like Clos de la Roche, Clos St. Denis, Chambertin from very good producers), there are hardly any top bottlings anymore from any quality producers under 35-40 Euros and most are even going in the 50-80 Euros direction. There are still some decent entry-level Spätburgunders at in between 10 and 15 Euros. But for everyday drinking, I’d prefer a Beaujolais Cru in the same price class any day.
Just one 2007 Fleurie, which in my view didn’t justify its hefty price. But I bought some 2009 and 2010 Fleurie Chapelle des Bois and 2010 Fleurie Les Moriers even though at 35 Euros/bottle, it’s quite expensive in relation to other Beaujolais Crus. I’m just too curious and want to have these for climat comparisons with e.g. Chignard and Lucien Lardy (Les Moriers) and Dutraive (Chapelle des Bois). His Moulin-à-Vents are just too expensive for my taste. In Germany, they cost 50 Euros for the Michelons and 60 Euros for the Chassignol ![[wow.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/7/7d450e9830889c8943b674446a21b7254cad657e.gif "wow"){kind=small}
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Hi Steve – Like yourself I’m a big fan of gamay. I haven’t sampled too many 12’s, but as far as Lapierre, if you enjoyed the 10 and 11, you’ll enjoy the 12 as well. The wines present a fairly consistent flavor profile. A slight nod to the 10, but that just may be the extra year in the bottle as much as vintage.
I was also disappointed with Desjourneys. Dense by Bojo standards, dark fruited, more Rhone than Beaujolais.
My limited experience with Sunier’s Fleurie was quite positive. This is a producer I need to know better.
We opened Coudert’s 2012 Roilette two nights ago: it was nicely proportioned and a pleasure to drink out of the bottle, with just a few minutes’ airing. I’d expect it to benefit from a few years, as well, but no crime to open now.
Vissoux’s Traditionelle is often tough early, I’ve found, but can be very good if allowed a little time to develop.
What don’t you like about Spatburgunder these days?..besides the pricing which looks much rougher than Cru Beaujolais. I’ve been told that Spatburgunder production has really exploded over the past several years while exports remain fairly low. I would’ve hoped for more affordable options within Germany.
RT
Beaujolais and Burgundy did a switch in 2011 and 2012. Beaujolais shone in 2011, Burgundy in 2012.
I tried some 2012 Beaujolais in late September: Sunier, Clos de la Roilette, Desjourneys, one Ducroux …
I’d skip the Regnie from Sunier. All of the wines are lighter and sappier than the previous few since his vineyards are at altitude and it was a balancing act between ripeness and rot, but I enjoyed the red fruit of the Fleurie and Morgon. Just not long-termers.
Clos de la Roilette were impressive and Desjourneys, well, I’ll be taking all I can get.
Just heard from Jean-Marc Burgaud that he is very happy with his 2013s. At the prices charged for Beaujolais, why take a year off? Just cut back on Burgundy 
I opened my first Burgaud Morgon CdP 2012 yesterday and was very pleased with it. I think I’ll have to buy a case.
Beaujolais is often a case-by-case purchase.
First I’ve heard of Desjourneys.
Bumping this thread again for input.
I’ve bought Roilette and Desjourney in 2012. After seeing the Metras thread, wondering whether anyone else has tried some worthy 2012 that I should jump on.
Did you try one of the Roilettes?
Just barely into 2011 sampling here, but frankly have to wonder why it would ever be worth “jumping” for Beaujolais. I really enjoy the stuff, but it is so readily available that chasing any specific wine seems pointless. Missed Metras? Buy Coudert. Missed Foillard? Buy Lapierre. No they are not exactly interchangeable, but quality Beaujolais is not a tough find.
Where did you get 12’ dejourneys?
Ok, but being unreasonable and jumping on certain wines of certain producers is part of the experience, isn’t it?
David -
Certain producers do sell quickly: Roilette’s Griffe du Marquis, Metras, Desjourney, etc. Crush has already sold out of 2 of these 3 (I bought 2 of these, so glad I jumped). I have not tried any of these in 2012; in fact, I have not tried any 2012. I think I recall Gillman comparing them to 2010, which is a vintage I enjoyed. I really need to pick up more 2011s!