2014 Domaine Robert-Denogent, Beaujolais Villages, Cuvee Jules Chauvet, France.
Mostly known for their gorgeous set of Maconnais whites from old vine Chardonnay, Denogent also makes a red, a Gamay, Beaujolais Villages from an ancient block of vines. In recent vintages this has proven to be a nice novelty, but this 2014 takes this offering to the next level, this is the best yet in my opinion with an amazing array of flavors and instant hedonistic charms. The 2014 Domaine Robert-Denogent Cuvee Jules Chauvet old vine Gamay Beaujolais Villages bursts from the glass with rose petals and lilacs, wild berries, peppery spices, cinnamon stick and kirsch unfolding in an ornate collage, this is a succulent, complex and seductive wine. This medium bodied Beaujolais holds your attention on the palate with ripe strawberry, tangy cherry and plum fruits along with subtle earth, the mentioned spices, hints of mineral and cedar with a lingering finish and excellent balance and vibrancy. Drink this over the next 5 to 10 years, though it will hard not to enjoy it sooner versus later, this is seriously fun stuff, best from 2016 to 2024, and if Denogent’s red is this good in 2014, I can’t wait to see the whites from Pouilly-Fuisse and Saint-Veran, they should be epic!
($30 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
