Beaujolais Villages AOP 2017

Vineyards

This Beaujolais Villages 2017 comes from vineyards situated in the rolling hills of Beaujolais, where the granite soils provide ideal conditions for Gamay. Sustainable practices are used, with a focus on preserving the natural health of the vines, resulting in wines that reflect both the terroir and the vintage.

Winemaking

Vinified using traditional methods, the wine undergoes fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve the fresh fruit character typical of Gamay. With additional years in bottle, the wine has matured gracefully, allowing for more complex, earthy flavours to emerge.

Appearance

Light red, with a slight brick hue indicating its maturity.

Nose

A light and inviting bouquet of red berries, intertwined with subtle spice and a hint of earthy undertones from its aging.

Palate

Mature yet still vibrant, this wine displays a pleasant structure, with soft red fruit flavours now complemented by deeper earthy notes and a touch of spice. The wine’s good acidity maintains freshness, while the maturity brings out more earth-driven elements and soft tannins. The finish is smooth and elegant, with a balanced, lingering aftertaste.

Food pairing

Pairs well with charcuterie, grilled meats, and lighter stews. Its earthy character also complements mushroom-based dishes.

Serving suggestions

Best served at 12-14°C, to fully appreciate its balance of fruit and maturity.

Background story

Domaine de Pouilly, located in Solutré-Pouilly at the heart of the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation in southern Burgundy, encompasses approximately 20 hectares over many plots. Managed by brothers Vincent and Pierre-Antoine Besson, the Domaine’s history spans a legacy of five generations of winemaking, starting with their Grandfather Pétrus in 1933. Vincent did his first solo vintage in 1999 before being joined by his brother, marking a new chapter in the Domaine’s history.

Many of the vineyards are at least 50 years old, including some of the very oldest in Pouilly, but also covering the neighbouring appellations of Macon, Saint Veran, and Beaujolais. Most are a terroir of clay-limestone, and the brothers are exponents of sustainability and minimum intervention.

Their impressive ancestral cellars are exactly how you imagine a Burgundy cellar to be, with refinement taking part in a variety of different oak barrels and vats, depending on the vintage, appellation and terroir. Vincent and Pierre-Antoine personally oversee every aspect of production, from vine care to marketing, ensuring their wines reflect their artisanal craftsmanship and deep-rooted expertise.

The wines are consistently rich, complex, and opulent, underpinned by a freshness and
drinkability that reflect the unique terroir, microclimate, and vinification methods of each vineyard. Given their quality, the wines consistently over-deliver considering their price, especially when compared to their cousins a bit further north on the Côte d’Or.