La Soeur Cadette Juliénas 2017

Valentin Montanet of Vézelay is the author of this brand-new cuvée, the severe frost in Burgundy having driven him south in search of available fruit to purchase. Luckily, Valentin consumes Beaujolais with regularity and is well connected to growers in the region, so he relished the opportunity to vinify one of his own.

The rarest of Beaujolais’ ten crus, Chénas is one for those of us who like a bit of meat to sink our teeth into. Its firm tannins are enrobed by chewy Gamay fruit, like a cherry pit surrounded by sweet, pulpous flesh.