Jean Foillard Beaujolais-Villages '22

Jean Foillard is arguably one of France’s most influential producers, and a leader in the natural wine movement in Beaujolais and France in general. Jean and his wife, Agnès, took over the family domaine in 1980. Along with producers Lapierre, Breton, and Thévenet, he led the region in a direction that so many small, young producers follow today. He farms without the use of pesticides and herbicides, uses indigenous yeast, and avoids fining and filtration. Above all, what makes the Foillard wines top-notch is where they come from, prime parcels in Beaujolais. These are earthy, complex, age-worthy, and soulful Beaujolais wines. 
 
The Foillard Beaujolais-Villages is made from Gamay grapes sourced from vineyards with granite soils, aged 20 to 55 years, and farmed using certified organic practices. Beaujolais-Villages offers a bright and expressive profile, in part because the wine undergoes whole-cluster fermentation with indigenous yeasts, followed by aging for seven months in concrete tanks.

A wonderfully pure and expressive example of Gamay, with notes of sour cherry, black raspberry, and baking spices. Very elegant and silky on the palate, with mineral notes and a hint of spice. A great wine from one of the legends of Beaujolais.