Costing under $15, scoring a fine 15+ Dionysian points, with 12,5% alcohol, the 2016 Chateau de Lacarelle Beaujolais-Villages turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

Made with the Gamay grape, the red cherry, and raspberry notes filled the nose. It was balanced with good acidity and worked well with the steak sandwiches.

 

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Gamay was banned from the rest of Burgundy because it didn’t come up to Pinot Noir standards, but in the Beaujolais region of Southern Burgundy, the grape does well enough to make a food-friendly wine.

Basic Beaujolais is usually quite thin. The better classification of Beaujolais-Villages usually offers higher quality. The best Beaujolais are the top ten Crus which produce wines that can age some and offer great fruit and texture. As the Nouveau fade fads, the better Beaujolais are making a come back.  In Vino Veritas.