Getting in under the wire - 2021 Foillard Corcellete

May is for Gamay? Mayhap. For Memorial Day, I grilled up four brace of Spanish quail on the smoker and we opened the title wine. As an aspiring Gamay vintner, I was particularly interested in this wine, as the lieu-dit Corcelette is in sandy soils (similar to my own) though Foillard's vines are 80 years old (and mine are 3, going on 4). In the event, the wine shone brilliantly with our dinner. Silken in texture yet deep in flavor with the violet notes in the nose that I associate with this producer and bright red berryish fruit. Fresh acidity kept it in fine balance and made it a great foil for food. Contrasting this wine with the Cote du Py bottling, I find this closer to my preferred expression of Gamay, though both are quite appealing. No doubt, it is capable of aging another 8-10 years, but I am unsure that it will ever provide more pleasure than it does right now.

As an aspiring Gamay vintner, I was particularly interested in this wine, as the lieu-dit Corcelette is in sandy soils (similar to my own)...Contrasting this wine with the Cote du Py bottling, I find this closer to my preferred expression of Gamay, though both are quite appealing..

Good to aim high!

Curious what about the Corcelette expression you prefer to the CdP?

I have the opposite view, as CdP seems deeper and more focused, while still retaining seductive energy, so it hits all my pleasure points. But, as a result, I have focused on the CdP and rarely bought the Corcelette, so I know it less well. Plus, it's all subjective preference anyway..

[David M. Bueker]

Sounds delicious.

As an aspiring Gamay vintner, I was particularly interested in this wine, as the lieu-dit Corcelette is in sandy soils (similar to my own)...Contrasting this wine with the Cote du Py bottling, I find this closer to my preferred expression of Gamay, though both are quite appealing..

Good to aim high!

Curious what about the Corcelette expression you prefer to the CdP?

I have the opposite view, as CdP seems deeper and more focused, while still retaining seductive energy, so it hits all my pleasure points. But, as a result, I have focused on the CdP and rarely bought the Corcelette, so I know it less well. Plus, it's all subjective preference anyway..

To me, it's all about the color of the fruit. I see a distinct family resemblance between the two (some time I'll open a Foillard Fleurie for comparison, too) but the CdP in my experience runs to darker fruit flavors whereas the Corcelette trends toward the redder fruit profile. I'd agree that the CdP is a deeper wine, but depth isn't a characteristic I value as highly in Gamay. Horses for courses, old thing, and it's not like I don't buy the CdP.

.. the CdP in my experience runs to darker fruit flavors whereas the Corcelette trends toward the redder fruit profile. I'd agree that the CdP is a deeper wine, but depth isn't a characteristic I value as highly in Gamay..

Makes sense!

[Jenise]

Mark, I agree with your comparison. It's why the CdP so captivated me when I first fell in love with Foillards ('09 vintage) but as they aged there was a spiciness to the Corcelette that eventually won me over, and ditto with the vintages I've tasted since. Welcome back, btw.

Love all the kids equally!
Nice notes (and explanation)