WTN: Old Rough and Ready (Gamay)

[David M. Bueker]

• 2021 Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly Cuvée Zaccharie - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Côte de Brouilly (3/26/2024)
  What an interesting bottle of Beaujolais. If I was served it blind I might have guessed Loire Cabernet Franc, as it had a distinct green tobacco leaf note that bordered on bell pepper. There was still abundant red berry fruit, fresh acidity, and a smidge of finishing tannin, but that tobacco stayed present over the three hours I followed the wine. It might be off putting to some, but I really enjoyed it, and I think I know a few other who would as well.

[David M. Bueker]

• 2021 Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly Cuvée Zaccharie - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Côte de Brouilly (5/16/2025)
  I was sipping this and kept thinking to myself “this could pass as Loire Cabernet Franc.” Then I look at my note from last year where I said that it reminded me of “Loire Cabernet Franc.” I guess not much has changed so far. It’s sterner than most Beaujolais, and has the green note that occurs in a lot of classically styled Loire Cabernet Franc. I guess I should put my last bottle in a blind tasting of Chinon!

...I was sipping this and kept thinking to myself “this could pass as Loire Cabernet Franc.” Then I look at my note from last year where I said that it reminded me of “Loire Cabernet Franc.”...

Ha!

I get that sometimes with Beaujolais, in the crisp herbal years/bottlings. Makes sense.

[David M. Bueker]

Is 2021 one of those years? I really have no idea. Don’t follow Beaujolais closely enough.

Is 2021 one of those years? I really have no idea. Don’t follow Beaujolais closely enough.

Well yes, broadly put. It's not one of the big hot ripe years. Same as in Germany, Burgundy, etc. I didn't buy too many Beaujolais from 2021, found some of them a bit hard and crisp at first. But probably should have waited or chosen more carefully as I think the juicier ones (like Descombes Morgon VV) have definitely come into form.