2015 Jean Foillard, Morgon, Les Charmes “Eponym” Cru Beaujolais, France.
Rivaling the 2009 vintage, Foillard’s 2015’s are amazing Gamay wines, from his classic Cote du Py, his floral and delicate Fleurie to his most unique bottlings, like his Cuvee 3.14 and this Morgon Les Charmes “Eponym, these wines expand the mind to what can be achieved with Cru Beaujolais. A bit more restrained and tannic than the 2009’s this 2015 is still packed with depth and density with a pure hedonistic joyous palate and with an exotic quality to the deep black fruit character, its a gripping wine from one of the greatest producers in the region. One of group of Beaujolais producers who are disciples of Jules Chauvet, the godfather of french natural wine in the Beaujolais region, Jean Foillard, uses organic grapes, ultra low SO2, and makes very natural style wines, but wines that are luxurious and Burgundy like in class. Famous importer, Kermit Lynch, who brought the great Beaujolais to us in the United States and gave us a true glimpse of just how great these wines are, adds Foillard’s Morgons are deep, structured, and complex, with a velvety lushness that makes them irresistible when young despite their aging potential. Jean raises his wines in older barrels sourced from top estates in Burgundy, a logical decision for someone crafting Gamay in a Burgundian style. The 2015 Eponym thrills from the start with crushed violets, dark berries, spicy notes and a hint of black walnut along with layers of rich plum, blackberry, sweet cherry and tangy currant fruits, plus anise, cedar, dried basil, mineral tones and a touch of stoniness.
Jean Foillard’s 2015 Les Charmes “Eponym” cuvée is a rare treat from all organic vines at the very top of Morgon that are close to
One of the true Gamay masters, Jean Foillard makes some of the world’s best versions, as mentioned above, from that dreamy Fleurie to his Cuvee 3.14, which has a cult like following, being maybe the hardest to find and his most sought after wines, as well as the unbeatable Cote du Py, Foilard’s main wine. All are utterly compelling and delicious wines, though if you were looking for a wine of severe brut force and power, very uncommon for this grape, you’d find it in Foillard’s most intense bottling, his Morgon Les Charmes “Eponym” cuvee with its, as noted, raw tannin and usually rock hard nature, it is a wine to lay down for a decade if not more. That said, in warmer years, like this 2015 it can be really enjoyed when young, though best with fuller cuisine so that it can unwind and show its majestic array of flavors. The Les Charmes Eponym is sourced exclusively from the Les Charmes vineyard, the highest altitude lieu-dit in the Morgon appellation, it was traditionally fermented with 100% whole cluster with native yeasts and raised in ex-Burgundy barrels, well season, for about 9 months before bottling with Foilard’s traditional exceptionally low SO2, unfined and unfiltered. If you can find this bottling, buy it and cellar it for 3 to 5 years, it’s Foillard magic!
($50 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive