Best Gamay outside of Beaujolais (or similar)

WINE TALK
41

Wow There you go!

42

Sashi Moorman, Chad Melville, and Jim Knight from the Wine House were also part of it early on

43

I agree that there are some really nice Gamays in Oregon. Vincent and Martin Woods have been standouts for me. The only problem I have is that Beaujolais still tends to be a significantly better value, and the Oregon wines really aren’t that different in terms of style. Still, I drink some from Oregon once in a while, and I even sell some because I think they’re really good.

44

A quick visit to my local wine shop (Binnys outside of Chicago) and there were zero Oregon Gamay on the shelf, and so I will have to broaden my search to find any of the producers listed above. Ultimately picked up two entry level Beaujolais and a basic Oregon Pinot Noir, but would like to try some of the stated producers.

45

Maybe have a go at Verve in Lincoln Park, that’s where I found the one Whitcraft Gamay I mentioned. Was a couple years ago… Suspect they’ll have a handful of things in this vein.

46

Binny’s carries Robert Serol and Arnot Roberts.

I carry Vincent in my cellar if you ever want a bottle.

47

Been loving the holy heck out of the 2024 Arnot Roberts Gamay El Dorado since its release. Their 2024 Ascona Vineyard SCM Gamay has even more to it, with tension and salinity too. Madson in Santa Cruz made a beautiful 2024 Gamay from Santa Rita Hills. Tried their new 2025 Gamay from Cienega Valley and it had real Bojo character.

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48

I always pick up Silas (Oregon) Gamay Noir from the BerserkerDay deals, and have been really happy with them.

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49

Limited selection around the Chicagoland area, but good to know. Most of the non traditional Gamay in my cellar is from Vincent in Oregon, from Michigan or Switzerland. Been a while since I ordered any Gamay from Willakenzie Estate in Oregon but I remember they did a good job with the varietal.

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50

Henri Chauvet Abrupts

51

Second the Whitcraft Pence Rance nod - and the 2024 version is even more major fuego.

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52

Pretty big fan of Pisoni’s Lucy Gamay.

53

This ticks the low alcohol box (12.9%)

This one also low alc (13.4%) & they advertise as being enjoyable chilled