My recently retired sister and brother-in-law know little about wine but accumulated a ragtag assortment of bottles during their many years in the Brazilian foreign service. Not just the residue of things they bought on the recommendation of others to serve at the parties they gave but also gifts from guests and other diplomats. Since they don’t know what should be drunk young and what should be held, there are a fair amount of past due bottles which I try, on occasion, to pry open in the name of science.
Last night I had dinner there and scavenged two 2001 Beaujolais using the argument that these babies were way past due. That turned out to be not quite true and not true at all:
2001 Domaine de Vissoux Beaujolais Primeur Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Non-Chaptalisées 12%
From a prestigious producer, a bit of barnyard immediately upon opening the bottle, with lively cherry and burnt sugar on the nose. A bit dilute on the palate, the fruit already a bit faded, but with lively acidity and a pleasant astringency on the back of the tongue. Over time, some bacon and tobacco start to appear, and the initial cherry flavor develops into a more typical Gamay strawberry. A bit past it’s prime, but still alive and giving pleasure. First time I see “non-chaptalized” as part of the name (or so it appeared).
2001 Domaine Robert Perroud Brouilly Sélection de Vieilles Vignes 12.5%
Had never heard of this producer, but was pleasantly surprised. Darker fruit than the preceding, closer in color and density to a Bourgogne than a Beaujolais. Upfront, elegant cherry flavor, and none of the telltale Gamay strawberry, that emerges only with gurgling. A touch too sweet, but quite good acid/fruit balance, crisp acidity, and reasonable weight. Tastes mature, perhaps optimal, and far from over the hill. Excellent with food.
