Last night's blind Dork tasting: Beaujolais. Wasn't restricted to reds but was surprised, especially with this group, that no whites or bubbles showed up.
2010 Louis Jadot Morgon Château des Jacques Gamay
Tim's. Nose is a little reticent but it's great on the palate. At peak.
2015 Jean-Claude Lapalu Côte de Brouilly Gamay
Gabe's. Dried shitake mushroom, black fruit, dark color, blackberry and plum, nicely structured, big wine. Great future ahead.
Want to buy me some.
2012 Yvon Métras Fleurie Gamay
Mine. Decanted three hours before the event to remove silty sediement. At that point it was deep garnet in color with some decaying, mature notes on the nose. Palate was better but it was surprisingly advanced for the vintage. I hoped that would turn around a bit by tasting time. But no. At the tasting: med red, caramelly finish, some VA, decaying yeast, high acid, volatile. Note: Good provenance, personally purchased in Fleurie and hand-carried home.
2015 Marcel Lapierre Morgon Cuvée Marcel Lapierre Gamay
Two tasters brought bottles, and they were opened one after another. Each showed quite differently. First bottle, sweet and charming with some green notes. Second bottle: super clean nose with violets, good mix of dark red and black fruit, some chocolate notes. Always interesting how un-alike each two bottles of the same wine can be.
2010 Jean Foillard Morgon Cuvée 3.14 Gamay
Warren's. Surprising tannins and higher than normal (compared to other '10's already poured) acidity, a bit backwards at the moment. Needs decanting--lots of silt here.
2017 Domaine du Pavillon de Chavannes Côte de Brouilly Cuvée des Ambassades Gamay
Doran's. Raspberries and red currants dominate an all-red fruit display, young and bright with high acidity.
2016 Anne Amie Gamay Noir Twelve Oaks Estate Chehalem Mountains
Tim's. Lingonberry and tart red currant, cola, bay leaf. Very enjoyable.
2015 Lafarge-Vial Fleurie La Joie du Palais Gamay
Mark's. Young, fresh, grippy tannins, direct cherry-raspberry fruit but not much else showing at this time. An ager that needs more time. Would buy for my cellar.
2017 Marcel Lapierre Morgon Gamay
Gabe's. Earthy with sweet fruit, Morroccan spices, lovely acidity. Nicely developed/integrated for so young a wine compared to other '16/'17s on the table.
2012 Evening Land Vineyards Gamay Noir Seven Springs Vineyard Eola - Amity Hills
Mine. Good thing I didn't read my last TN in 2017 on this before choosing it for last night's Dork tasting or I'd have scared myself out of taking a very fine gamay that totally passed for real-deal Beaujolais. Med red color, showed accurate for it's age with lilac, bayberry candle, cherries and lingonberry jam. Creamy texture on the palate. Very pleasing. No sediment.
2016 Pascal Aufranc Julienas
Mark's. First comments: "This isn't Beau, it's merlot!" and "Is the vintage 2020?" Extracted sweet black cherry blast, curry spice. Definitely not ready yet.
2011 Yvon Métras Moulin-à-Vent Gamay
Warren's. Pretty nose of all red fruit with notes of rhubarb, canned tomato and coriander seed. Excellent.
2010 Thibault Liger-Belair Moulin-à-Vent Vieilles Vignes Gamay
Mine, served blind. Dark fruit, graphite, blood/iron, dried lavender, and French thyme notes; first guess was that it was Burgundy, and a ringer. And a fine Burgundy at that. Excellent showing, and one of my favorites of the night. Decanted to remove sediment three hours prior to event--interestingly, at that point very black, color lightened up by serving time. Wish I had more.
2010 Coudert Fleurie Clos de la Roilette Griffe du Marquis Gamay
Warren's. Spicy, super complex, sweet dark red fruit, the whole package--Beaujolais simply doesn't get any better than this. At peak for current drinking but decanting recommended--the last pours got a lot of silt.
2017 Romain Paire Côte Roannaise la colline en flamme Gamay
Tim's. What you want every $15 Bojo to be, but it usually isn't. Vibrant, lively, juicy and reasonably complex. A perfect summer drinker.
1997 Domaine J. Chamonard Morgon Le Clos de Lys Gamay
Mine. Decanted three hours prior to event to filter out the substantial fine sediment. Pale dull orange-y color. Great nose with notes of cocoa and oolong tea. Oldest Beaujolais most of us have ever had, so quite the curiosity. Drinks well--fully mature but with good acidity, and not tired.