Style: Red
Vintage: 2020
ABV: 13%
Region: Beaujolais
Country: France
Varietals: Gamay
Beaujolais soils are predominantly decomposed granite, with pockets of blue volcanic rock. The primary vinification method is carbonic maceration, where grapes are not crushed, but instead whole clusters are placed in a tank, thus allowing fermentation to take place inside each grape berry.
Alex may be young, but his wines show plenty of wisdom and depth. In fact, Alex’s Beaujolais-Villages is a sort of tightrope act, looking for that Guy Breton-esque burst of airy pleasure, mixed with a, dare I say it, Jean Foillard-like depth and grip. I was hoping to avoid adding the inevitable mention of Jean when speaking about Alex’s wines, but I just can’t help but think of this as the most compelling and delicious Beaujolais cross-pollination one could wish for. —Chris Santini
Pairing Ideas:
For a sommelier, Gamay is an easy and flexible dancing partner. Gamay’s mellow fruity flavors make it a rare red wine equally capable of pairing with delicate dishes like fish, and salty, caramelized foods like roasted poultry, and aged cheeses.