Domaine Jean-Marc Burgaud
We’re delighted to advise that we’ve sourced a supply of Beaujolais from up and coming producer Jean-Marc Burgaud.
We’ve been looking for some Beaujolais after becoming enamoured of these Gamay-based wines in Paris wine bars such as Le Verre Vole, Le Cremerie and Chapeau Melon, and in our new favourite New York wine bar Terroir.
Jean-Marc is a rising star in Beaujolais. Jacqueline Friedrich, author of the highly regarded "The Wines of France" says of Jean-Marc:
"A very promising young producer whose wines from the Cote du Py and another privileged climat, Charmes, are suave, silky, concentrated, and just plain gorgeous..."
Great Beaujolais is remarkably food friendly and also represents amazingly good value.
There are 10 areas in Beaujolais designated as Beaujolais Cru appellations. All the wines we have ordered are from Morgon [pronounced more-GOH], which we think is the most desirable of all the crus. Most Beaujolais crus are named after the villages and Morgon is no exception.
Within Morgon, there are a small number of special parcels of land that produce the best wines. These are known as lieu dits or climats and only wine made from grapes that are 100% sourced from a lieu dit can have the name displayed on the label.
The most famous in Morgon is the Côte du Py which we featured in our last newsletter. The other is the nearby Les Charmes. Three of our wines are from Côte du Py and one is from Les Charmes.
Domaine Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Cote du Py
The Cote du Py is regarded by many as the best vineyard in the Morgon appellation. It is a large, sloping hill with schist soils that impart a distinctive mineral flavour to the wine that lovers of good Morgon look for.
On a recent trip we drove around this lieu dit at least three times to take in the complexity of the slope.
Our supplier, Jean-Marc has a number of different 'parcels' on this slope with the minimum age of the vines being 50 years. He tends them using the principles of minimal intervention. This is a fine example of the Morgon appellation and is a perfect wine to accompany food - in fact it should be drunk with a meal or with snacks.
The wine is matured mainly in tanks but partially in oak barrels to provide structure.
RRP: $40
Domaine Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Les Charmes
The Les Charmes which lies in the north-west sector is regarded by many as one of the best vineyards in the Morgon appellation. Jean-Marc's vines in this vineyard are 75 years old.
Les Charmes wines are widely regarded for their elegance and longevity. This may be due to the affinity between the Gamay grape and the granitic soils which are prominent here. This wine has no oak treatment so has fine tannins and good fruit flavours.
RRP: $36
Domaine Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Cote du Py Reserve
This wine is also produced for the Cote du Py vineyard but the wine is matured in oak barrels for up to a year to enhance its longevity.
RRP: $42
Domaine Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Cote du Py James
Jean-Marc is fortunate to have some vines at the top of the Cotes du Py which is regarded as the best part of the best vineyard. The James is made exclusively from these vines so very little is available. We were lucky to have a small allocation of this wine but it is likely to sell very quickly.
RRP: SOLD OUT - BACK SOON!
Jean-Marc Burgaud Bull'Go
The Bull'Go is an interestingly different wine. It is a white sparkling wine made from the red Gamay grape. We only have a small quantity but it is certainly worth a try if you like to explore the many sparkling wines from France that are produced outside the Champagne area.
RRP: SOLD OUT - BACK SOON!