Beaujolais Nouveau

Beaujolais nouveau is a red wine made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region of France. It is the most popular vin de primeur, fermented for just a few weeks before being released for sale on the third Thursday of November. This “Beaujolais Nouveau Day” used to see heavy marketing, with races to get the first bottles to different markets around the globe. The current release practice is to ship the wine ahead of the third Thursday of November, and release it to the local markets at 12:01 a.m. local time.

George Duboeuf “Beaujolais Nouveau”(2014)

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20141120_180757George Duboeuf “Beaujolais Nouveau”

Gamay

YEAR: 2014

REGION: FRANCE: Beaujolais

AVERAGE RETAIL: $12

What they say about it:

“This year’s Beaujolais Nouveau is the usual shade of grape juice-purple, with a jammy nose redolent of grape jelly, strawberry, some violet notes, and mud. The body runs through all of the above paces, introducing some shades of tea leaf, cocoa bean, and cranberry, before settling into a brambly, slightly dusty finish. The finish is less sweet than expected, but what fruit notes are there rapidly run from pulp to pits.”

What I say about it:

November 20, was the third Thursday in November this year and when the clock struck midnight,  the new vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau, was officially released to the world. This year myself, my fiance and two friends attended a tasting at Hommage in Seattle WA to celebrate the new release. More on Hommage and my review of the event to come (in my new Wine Bars and Events section). So without further ado my review of the 2014 George Duboeuf “Beaujolais Nouveau”.

Out of the bottle and into the glass….

The color of the George Duboeuf “Beaujolais Nouveau” is a nice clear and bright red leaning towards plum. The nose is full of strawberries and fresh fruit with violet and crushed stone and earth. The taste is full of the same big fresh fruit and berries flavors particularly strawberries and crushed blueberries and a touch of cocoa. Lots of jammy notes with a slightly short finish. It’s what you expect in a Beaujolais Nouveau. Overall I think the 2014 is better than the 2013 (out of the bottle).

Beaujolais Nouveau has become synonymous with Thanksgiving and it does match perfectly with Turkey and all of the usually Thanksgiving fare. We had it with a variety of French cheeses, rabbit pate and it matched excellent with just about everything.

Would Bukowski drink it?  Oui Oui monsieur. 

Overall Rating: 4 BUKS

4-BUKS

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Joseph Drouhin “Beaujolais Nouveau” (2013)

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joseph drouhin 2013 beaujolais nouveauJoseph Drouhin “Beaujolais Nouveau”

Gamay

YEAR: 2013

REGION: France:Burgundy

AVERAGE RETAIL: $8-14 

What they say about it:

“Notes on the 2013 Harvest: The region has benefited from summery conditions during the month of July and the first two weeks of August. Hot, sunny and luminous conditions have enabled the vines to develop normally yet without catching up with the delay in growth of the beginning of the year. There were some rain storms, but which did not affect the vines. The grape count indicates a very good harvest in areas where the grapes ripen fast, and a moderate harvest in more slow ripening areas. We estimate the harvest to start around September 23rd to 25th.”- Frédéric J. Drouhin”

What I say about it:

OK well that doesn’t tell me anything about the wine actually…. This was the 2nd 2013 Beaujolais Nouveau I had picked up recently and my first from Joseph Droughin. This like most Beaujolais Nouveau wines was light, fruity, easy to drink and quite enjoyable. The nose had elements of violets, cherries, lavender, berries, and slight touch of vanilla. The texture was smooth, lush with very subtle tannins and a slight tartness with low acidity. Tasting notes included cherries, of the tarter pie cherry variety, berries, strawberry and raspberry, cassis and currants with a slightly earthy undertone. The wine has a striking light garnet color. 

The Joseph Drouhin “Beaujolais Nouveau” 2013 will go nicely with light savory meats and poultry as well as fish, particularly grilled salmon. It will also go nicely with appetizers, fruits and cheeses. Excellent slightly chilled (54-57° F).

Overall this was a great find and a winery I need to investigate further.

Would Bukowski drink it? Louis-Ferdinand Céline, now he was French. 

Overall Rating: 4 BUKS

4-BUKS

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau (2013)

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Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2013Georges Duboeuf “Beaujolais Nouveau”

Gamay

YEAR: 2013

REGION: FRANCE: Beaujolais

AVERAGE RETAIL: $10

What they say about it:

“Beautiful ruby-red color. A pleasant scent of fresh grapes and small juicy red fruits. This wine will scintillate your palate with the pleasure of an excellent ‘primeur.'”

What I say about it:

Yesterday, November 21, was the third Thursday in November this year and when the clock strikes midnight,  the new vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau, is officially released to the world. You may remember drinking Beaujolais Nouveau at a Thanksgiving or holiday get-together. Given its timely release it’s a popular wine throughout the holiday season. I love cracking into the first bottle every year and this year is no exception. This is the first of two Beaujolais Nouveau wines I will be reviewing. This, the Georges Duboeuf, is the more commonly available and probably the most recognizable name in Beaujolais Nouveau.

The 2013, doesn’t disappoint, if you are a fan of Beaujolais Nouveau. Overall it is very fruity and fresh, characteristics associated with wines like those made from the Gamay grape. Hints of strawberry were my first impression, with a sweet nose. The color is deep, ruby-red and very bright, much like its taste. Secondary taste were more tart and include rhubarb, dried cranberries and plums. Its very easy to drink (which could be great at family holiday dinners!). A really nice Beaujolais Nouveau and better than I recall the 2012 being.

Beaujolais Nouveau wines match well with just about anything. I don’t really follow the white with poultry and fish and red with red meat etc. rules. Drink what you like. I like it as a starter wine, due to it’s delicacy and subtle sweet fruit. It works well with just about everything in a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, so consider it for your Turkey Day.

Would Bukowski drink it?  Goes well with my F**kin frozen turkey dinner. Now F**K OFF!

Overall Rating: 4 BUKS

4-BUKS