2016 Beaujolais: Hail, Yes

“Hot on the heels of the superb if atypically ripe and powerful 2015s, most 2016 Beaujolais are built along more classical lines, emphasizing lively, sharply delineated red fruit, floral and spice qualities and offering succulent early drinkability,” writes Josh Raynolds in his coverage for Vinous . He continues, “It’s the rare 2016 Beaujolais that’s tough to drink right now, at least based on the wines I’ve sampled so far.” Discover a case-full of Raynolds’ top picks from the 2016 vintage for Beaujolais , where “top-notch bottlings can often deliver astounding quality” and tremendous value.

Domaine Pascal Aufranc

Chénas Vignes de 1939 Gamay 2016

Delectable Wine
9.3

Lurid ruby. A highly expressive bouquet evokes fresh red/blue fruits, Asian spices and smoky minerals, along with a sexy floral pastille nuance. Sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering sappy raspberry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors that are given lift and cut by a spine of juicy acidity. Distinctly elegant in style. Finishes very long and smooth, with silky tannins that fold smoothly into the vibrant fruit. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago

Château Cambon

Beaujolais Gamay 2016

Delectable Wine
9.1

Limpid ruby. Fresh black raspberry and cherry pit aromas are complemented by suggestions of blood orange and candied violet. Sappy and energetic on the palate, offering gently sweet red fruit and floral pastille flavors and silky, seamless texture. Finishes very long and sweet; well-knit tannins lend gentle grip. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago

Domaine De La Grand'Cour (Jean-Louis Dutraive)

Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Brouilly Gamay 2016

Delectable Wine
9.3

Brilliant violet. Intense, mineral-accented red berry and cherry scents are complicated by suggestions of lavender and allspice. Sappy and precise on the palate, displaying bright, spicy lift and cut to the bitter cherry, raspberry and floral pastille flavors. Fleshes out and becomes sweeter on the finish, which shows superb, floral-driven tenacity and silky tannins that come in late. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago

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Clos De La Roilette

Clos de la Roilette Fleurie Gamay 2016

Delectable Wine
9.3

Brilliant ruby-red. Intense, mineral-accented red and dark berry aromas pick up a sexy floral quality with air. Concentrated yet lively, offering juicy raspberry, bitter cherry and blood orange flavors that show excellent clarity and back-end thrust. Shows a touch of candied licorice on the gently tannic finish, which lingers with outstanding persistence. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago

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Domaine du Vissoux / Pierre-Marie Chermette

Les Trois Roches Moulin-à-Vent Gamay 2016

Delectable Wine
9.3

Brilliant magenta. Aromas of fresh cherry and blueberry are complemented by suggestions of violet, licorice and spicecake. Stains the palate with appealingly sweet, spice-accented dark fruit and floral pastille flavors that smoothly meld concentration and vivacity. Shows excellent clarity and mineral lift on the subtly tannic finish, which leaves notes of bitter cherry and five-spice powder behind. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago

Guy Breton

Vieilles Vignes Morgon Gamay 2016

Delectable Wine
9.4

Lurid ruby. A powerfully scented bouquet evokes primary red/blue fruits, incense and potpourri, and a hint of five-spice powder builds as the wine opens up. Juicy, concentrated and seamless in texture, offering sweet boysenberry, black raspberry and candied lavender flavors that show a suave blend of richness and energy. A smoky mineral note appears on the finish, which shows superb persistence and resonating blue fruit and floral qualities. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago

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Marcel Lapierre

Julienas Gamay 2016

Delectable Wine
9.2

Vivid magenta. Potent black raspberry, cherry and violet scents show excellent clarity and pick up smoky mineral and peppery spice accents with air. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry and red berry flavors that show a suave blend of depth and energy. The floral note repeats strongly on the very long, seamless finish, which features silky tannins and a touch of candied licorice. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago

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Daniel Bouland

Delys Morgon Gamay 2016

Delectable Wine
9.4

Brilliant violet. A complex, hugely perfumed bouquet evokes candied boysenberry, cherry liqueur, incense and smoky minerals, and a suave floral overtone slowly builds with aeration. Powerful yet lively, spice- and mineral-accented dark berry, violet pastille and musky rhubarb flavors provide a compelling interplay of depth and energy. Finishes sweet and extremely long, leaving behind zesty mineral, spice and floral notes. This stunning wine is a standout in this excellent Beaujolais vintage. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago

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Julien Sunier

Morgon Gamay 2016

Delectable Wine
9.3

Brilliant ruby-red. Powerful red/blue fruit, violet, black cardamom and smoky herb aromas show excellent clarity and mineral lift. Fleshy and seamless in texture, offering bitter cherry and cassis flavors that tighten up slowly on the back half. Delivers a suave blend of power and energy and finishes with outstanding clarity, spicy thrust and lingering sweet blue fruit character. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago

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Jean Foillard

Beaujolais Villages Gamay 2016

Delectable Wine
9.1

Bright magenta. High-pitched red fruit and lavender aromas show excellent clarity and pick up a mineral nuance as the wine stretches out. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering intense raspberry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors that deepen slowly on the back half. In a vibrant style, with no excess fat and a very long, smooth finish that echoes the red fruit note. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago

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