The Domaine de Colette Beaujolais Villages is my pick for the perfect springtime red. Bursting with joyous red fruits, bright acidity, and granitic minerality, it’s best served with a slight chill.
Please note, this is not Beaujolais Nouveau! Far from it, this is made with grapes from 45 to 80 year old vineyards and its much more flavorful and substantial than the harvest (aka Nouveau) wines are.
2018 Domaine de Colette Beaujolais Villages ‘Coteaux de Colette’
90 points Wine Advocate
This vintage is sold out. To order the new vintage, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
Domaine de Colette is a prime example of why the wines of Beaujolais are better and more popular than ever. Located in the village of Regnie, less than a mile from the border of Morgon, this estate was founded in 1953. Today, husband and wife Jacky and Evelyne Gauthier run the estate and farm their old vines without any chemical sprays or fertilizers. Their vines are old, their yields are low, and they ferment and age in cement only (no oak). The result is a delicious mouthful of ripe, sappy and fresh Gamay, whose granite soils provide minerality and whose excellent exposure allows the burst of the Beaujolais fruit we know and love.
And for those who suffer from headaches and sneezing/sniffling when you drink red wines, Gamay is the answer. Many Americans have come to the conclusion that “large and in charge,” heavily oaked reds don’t make them feel so good. I won’t argue that those wines taste bad but they are loaded with histamines and possess higher alcohol levels. And that combination is what causes headaches, sneezing, sniffling and suffering. Trust me, IT’S NOT THE SULFITES!
And for those who like more light to medium bodied, fresh and invigorating reds, you’ve got to try this one. I’ve said enough but the Wine Advocate sums it up nicely, saying this one “offers up rich aromas of ripe cherries, strawberries and rose petals. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and lively, with a pretty core of fruit, powdery tannins and a flavorful finish.” If that doesn’t sound good to you, wine might not be your drink of choice.
And like I said earlier, this one loves a light chill (20 minutes in the fridge) and it’s splendid when served alongside charcuterie, cheese, and bread. Like many of the wines we offer, not much is made. Just 84 bottles up for grabs on this one and that’s it for the vintage. Act fast or forever hold your peace.
This vintage is sold out. To order the new vintage, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville