Thoughts on 2009 Beaujolais and brief WTNs

I thought my Beaujolais drinking might quieten after the summer, but it has continued right into winter.

The majority of drinking has been of the 2009 vintage. After all the rave of 2009, I am left feeling much like I do after any vintage is raved about as great: it just depends on the individual wine as to whether it's great. Some wines, like the Domaine du Vissoux / Pierre-Marie Chermette Brouilly Pierreux are great, with an incredible intensity of fruit, some spice and minerality, enough complexity to keep one's interest, and perfect refreshingly slightly-gripping balance - just what is great about Beaujolais, with that near-gluggable, refreshing quality (and it is certainly superior to the 2008 IMO). Others, like Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Les Charmes, seem ripe (black fruit, almost kirsch-like), solid (full bodied and with very textured - doubtless, seed extracted - tannins), stern and unyielding. Granted, Burgaud tends to be this tends toward a more solid style anyway, but I really wonder how that wine will stand up with age.

If I had to generalise, I might say that the 2009 vintage wines tend to have a more stuffing, and that some seem to hold the balance well whereas others seem a little too extracted/unbalanced for their own good (e.g., Lapalu's Brouilly - althought the Cuvee Vieilles Vignes was very enjoyable; Chateau Gaillard's Morgon), but it all just depends...

What are your thoughts on 2009 Beaujolais?

In my relatively contained tasting I've liked everything I've had so far. I'm a huge fan of the Domaine du Vissoux (across all appellations). The Bouland's were very nice. That said I can't quite see what makes this particular vintage stand out markedly from other recent vintages. I might agree that it is better, depending on the specific wine, and I agree that the ones I like seem to have more stuffing as you say, but it's not as if they are head and shoulders above '07 or '08. All of that said it's some fine drinking.

That said I can't quite see what makes this particular vintage stand out markedly from other recent vintages. I might agree that it is better, depending on the specific wine, and I agree that the ones I like seem to have more stuffing as you say, but it's not as if they are head and shoulders above '07 or '08. All of that said it's some fine drinking.

I feel the same way.

I'm surprised this thread is not receiving more input though. Where are all the WLDG Beaujolais fiends hiding just now?

[James Roscoe]

I could happily drink Jadot's 2009 Villages offerings at any time.

I know there is a backlash against 2009 Beaujolais by some as too ripe, but my experiences have been mostly strongly positive. I've especially liked lineups from Vissoux and Brun. Basic Beaujolais from Vionnet was lovely, and I think the vintage helped some midtier producers like Prebende and Dupueble. I think most of the "complaints" (which I think aren't really dislike, just folks who say not favorite vintage) centers on some of the wines that tend to be bigger/riper to start with, like the semi-cult Morgons. I think I do have a few scattered bottles of Foillards, Descombes, or Desvignes, but I (foolishly?) tend to cellar those a bit out of faith.