This is a sensational, fully mature Beaujolais.
So funny to think that, by most accounts, this is an older Beaujolais. And while it is fully mature, and incredibly well knitted together, this is also a remarkably fresh wine. My bottle a few years ago was taut, still shut down. This one is like a crisp summer shower came down, quickly evaporated in the fresh sunshine, and everything sprang into full bloom. This is an incredibly aromatic wine. Petrichor. Such a range of fruit, earth, meat and even iron elements. The spicy red pomegranates and raspberries predominate. Like run through a crush, splashing around vigorously to release its fragrant aromas. So soil to glass transfer. Nothing in between. Palate is crisp vibrant fresh red fruits with some dark notes to add a little heft. Dry earth and some grains. Hints of beef tartare with sea salts and black pepper. The finish is ethereal, so long, lithe, transparent. Even some citrus notes streaked into the close.
Did I say this was a sensational Beaujolais? Ok, it’s a sensational wine.
(95 pts.).
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Interesting to get this in a warmer vintage. I wonder how other solar vintages will show at this stage.
Awesome. I modestly bit into the vintage hype, including a pair of this, which now made me check to be sure that they’re in my remote storage online inventory.
I should go for a bottle of 2009 Foillard Cote-du-Py, which I have more than a pair of, before the year ends. 2 bottles from the purchased lot had been excellent.
Love learning something new everyday, seriously: Petrichor
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I have a couple of those too, as well as one Lapierre Morgon. I bought into the vintage hype myself, with 12 mixed cases. There were some really good deals at the time (e.g. 2009 Domaine du Pavillon de Chavannes Côte de Brouilly Cuvée des Ambassades for $19, Terres Dorées (Jean-Paul Brun) Fleurie for $20, Foillard Morgon Côte du Py for $29, and Lapierre Morgon for $25.) Some I drank, but I think most I sold or gave away. I ended up liking the '10, '11 and '14 better in most cases.
I didn’t discover Coudert/Roilette until the 2010 vintage. A ten-year vertical of the Tardive and Griffe now makes up the lion’s share of my beaujolais
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I recall the ‘09s being ripe and fruity but retaining more freshness than some recent hot vintages like ‘15 and ‘18. Hard to compare based solely on memory though. I have two of these and should try one soon.
That’s what I was wondering. With some exceptions, I have not loved a lot of 18s and 20s. 19s seemed to be a bit more fresh, even though larger framed.
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I opened a Lapierre Morgon 2009 the other day and although not reaching the heights of Alf’s Coudert Fleurie it was very good. And I was surprised because only a few short years ago I was so disappointed because a bottle then was raisin-y and disjointed.
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It is more the wine than the vintage, I think. Kinda like 2009 Lanessan, 2000 Sociando. Some wines just often transcend vintage. Now that said, 2018 Roilette did not. I wonder if Beaujolais vintages like 15 and 18 were riper than 09. While almost all of my 09s are gone, I generally liked them more. Did not really buy much 15 or 18. I really really love 14.
The 09 has a freshness that the 15 and 18 do not have. That 18 is dense and hugely-scaled. I like 19, but 21 is the queen in these recent vintages.
I agree with all of that. The '15s I also found weirdly and unpleasantly dense, so very much agree with the use of that term. Just no freshness. '19 and '21 were basically the only recent vintages I’ve bought from for this reason, but give me '14 and even '17 any day. My Beaujolais purchasing is way, way down these days. Now I only buy from the rare cooler vintage.
Can you say more about the '21 vs. the '19? I’ve not tasted the '21 yet…but loved the 2019
I give a slight edge to 21 but damn the 2019 Griffe is amazing. If you like Roilette, both are “must have” vintages. I can’t keep my paws off 19, went through more than a case already. Need to buy more 21. Not sure why i didn’t grab more.
I’d suspect a warmer vintage like 09 to be frankly good for Coudert given their backwards profile. I’ll seek this out! I’m sitting on a lot of 09 Foillard and Lapierre which, ceteris paribus, didn’t benefit as much (imo) compared to say 11.
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Has anyone tried the '22s yet? I have heard the vintage isn’t too ripe and it has decent acidity.
I have tasted all current 22‘s in March (Griffe du M 2021). Or rather sniffed as I had to drive. There were no older vintages to compare.
Surprisingly red fruited (with the new Moulin a Vent dark und the Brouilly blue! ), deep, yet approachable. Compared to a 2020 I had shortly before indeed lighter and more polished. At 15.50 Eur a no brainer.
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