2021 Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Cote du Py Javernieres

Jean-Marc Burgaud is certainly one of the 'greats' in Beaujolais. this is a quirky winemaking talent, who also has a few hectares on what is considered the most beautiful terroir in Morgon, the Côte du Py. Flawless wine, free of the often so emphatically present sweetness in Beaujolais. Spicy, slender, acidity with structures, direct dark fruit and a beautiful, thirst-inducing dry finish. The Côte du Py is a hill just outside the village and that is the best terroir in Morgon, perhaps in all of Beaujolais. The soil of this wine hill is called 'sol pourri', rotten soil, it is highly erodible granular slate.

The Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Côte du Py Javernières was bottled after 12 months in used casks plus four months in tank. This has a lovely nose of wilted rose petals, vibrant red fruit and over time notes of dried orange peel. The medium-bodied palate has ripe tannins, a grainy texture and a very fine backbone, yet elegance from start to finish. This is a cheerful, effervescent Javernières of one of his best plots. Decant in his younger years but give this 3-4 years and then this is enjoyment and then we are talking about a Burgundy style of the highest level at a fraction of the price of its neighbor.

For Beaujolais aficionados, Morgon is the most compelling of the 10 Beaujolais Crus. A wine that is "morgons" is an additional reference to a Gamay Noir that has developed Pinot Noir-like characteristics as it ages. Give them time, say five to twenty years, and this Morgon wine will develop so beautifully.

Morgon is located on the slopes of the Beaujolais hills. Beaujolais is a spectacular region, just south of Burgundy, and a region known for its Gamay-Noir based wines. Beaujolais wines are almost always produced from Gamay Noir, where small amounts of white wine may be added to enhance the structure or flavor. And within this region of the Beaujolais, there are several important appellations, which determine the different quality of Beaujolais wines you can expect. One of the most controversial and unique appellations within the Beaujolais is Morgon, which produces very different styles than the rest of the Beaujolais. This appellation is located on the western slopes of the river Saône, which plays a major role in the different characteristics that Morgon wines often have. The wines for Morgon are considered some of the highest quality in the region and are greatly appreciated by avid wine enthusiasts.

The most important thing to note about Morgon's wines is that they are among the styles of wines that only get better with age. These wines develop spectacular notes as they age – especially after 10 years. The region is fortunate to have heavy volcanic soil influences - similar to those found in the Sicily region. These wines from Morgon are known for immense structure and complexity - developing into a mature Pinot-Noir-like wine as it ages.