Take a BEAUJ CRU’s

And some Rieslings

Classic Turkey Day flavors. We will try 2 German Rieslings, one is from 2002!! (mmm aged Riesling) and 4 Gamay’s. The red grape Gamay is from Beaujolais, France, and makes the popular, (and notoriously watery) “Beaujolais Nouveau”.We will try the same grape, but in super cool versions that the wine makers have spent serious energy in creating. Here is the list...

Bex Riesling, Mosel - Nahe, Germany    $12

Bright and youthful color; classical notes of mandarin orange; green apples, and just whiff of honeysuckle; refreshing key lime and melon fruit on the palate; nicly balanced and concentrated finish.

C.H. Berres Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany   $25

This ideally matured Kabinett has realized an excellent harmony between the fruit, petrol, and slate. Shades of white peach, lime, and wild strawberry still reside with the spicy and minerally terroir of Wurzgarten. The sweetness has largely dried out, and there's stinging zip that would satisfy even the biggest acid freaks. This wine is in a great place, but would easily hold for several more years. I encourage anyone to discover how dynamic and versatile this would be as an everyday table wine. You would have to try pretty hard to come up with a lousy food pairing.

Patrice Colin Les Perles Rouges, Loire, France   $19

SPARKLING DARK RED GAMAY!  Translucent magenta in color. The nose is shy and gives no hint of the candied fruit to come on the palate. The flavors started light, shy like the nose, with strawberries and cherries. On the mid-palate, it opens up with loads of candied red fruits

Roland Pignard, Regnie, Beaujolais, France   $24

Regnie is the newest of 10 Beauj Cru’s. (1988) This delicately tannin-ed. Cru brings you a remarkable concentration of aromas and flavors that include raspberry and blackcurrant. A delightful partner to an entire meal.

Jean-Louis Dutraive, Fleurie, Beaujolais, France,    $30   88 pts. Robert Parker… 

Fluerie is one of the top Cru’s of Beaujolais. The 2016 Fleurie comes from purchased grapes since the vines were affected by hail (just cropping two hectoliters per hectare!) This was raised in foudres with a little stainless steel. It has a light redcurrant and strawberry-scented bouquet with a hint of tomato vine. The palate is well balanced with fresh acidity, simple but nicely focused with tart red cherry on the short finish

Anne Amie, Gamay Noir, Willamette, Oregon   $24
Inspired by Gamay from both France and Oregon, the Twelve Oaks Estate Gamay Noir is made in the traditional manner, utilizing both carbonic and extended maceration. This results in an age worthy wine brimming with ripe, dark berry flavors, lithe tannin and lively acidity. kirsch, raspberry, cherry, potting soil, tobacco, pemmican, violets sappy dark cherry, black currant, raspberry, strawberry