Hey everybody, hang onto your Beaujolais

[Kay Bixler]

It really can cellar well. Went to dinner and with no fanfare at all slipped a bottle of '97 Desvignes Javernieres on the table when the lamb came out. Within ten minutes a group of non-geek, regular civilians were going nuts looking at the bottle trying to figure out what this incredible stuff was. I've been drinking from this case since 1999, the wine had a rough patch for a while but at around 10 years old it just blossomed.

I don't even remember if '97 was a good vintage, '96 got all the hype, right?

Best,
Kay

 

[Ian Fitzsimmons]

Nice story, thanks. Desvignes isn't the best proxy for the region, though, is he? His wines are atypically serious, I thought.

 

[BJ]

97 was considered quite solid, probably best between 95 and 00.

Thanks for the datapoint!

 

[drssouth]

My oldest Beaujolais in the cellar is the 96 Domaine Diochon Moulin--Vent Vieilles Vignes but I shared a bottle with Fla Jim of a '82 Beaujolais (maybe 2-3 yrs ago) that was quite impressive...

 

[Florida Jim]

Still have some '99 Roilette, Tardive hanging around.
But really, only geeks age Beaujolais - right?
Best, Jim

 

[slaton]

It doesn't hurt that you guys are talking about three of the most ageworthy wines made in the region.
I had a '96 Diochon last year that was delicious, if mature.

For my palate most Beaujolais is best drunk within two years. Above examples excepted, of course.

Mine seems to be the minority view here, however.

 

[lars makie]

Had a '97 Lapierre that showed quite nicely earlier this year.

 

[Joe Dressner]

originally posted by BJ:
97 was considered quite solid, probably best between 95 and 00.

99 was a great year in Morgon. 97 was an average year.

Ask any Morgonite, not just my opinion.

 

[Howard Cooper]

I have 2005 and 2006 Desvignes Javernieres. When would you drink them?

 

[Unknown]

#1 or #2 ?

Yes, this is a geek board.

 

[Ken Schramm]

originally posted by Howard Cooper:
I have 2005 and 2006 Desvignes Javernieres. When would you drink them?

At dinner time.

Is this a story problem?

 

[Jay Miller]

1997 Savoye Morgon (courtesy of the Bixlers) was beautiful 2 months ago.

 

[VLM]

originally posted by Howard Cooper:
I have 2005 and 2006 Desvignes Javernieres. When would you drink them?

2006 drink and hold.

2005 hold for a couple more.

 

[VLM]

originally posted by Jay Miller:
1997 Savoye Morgon (courtesy of the Bixlers) was beautiful 2 months ago.

Those wines are particularly backward and they get barrel treatment and pick up wood tannin.

 

[MarkS]

Mine seems to be the minority view here, however.

What, you didn't know Beaujolais can age like Madeira?

 

[Ian Fitzsimmons]

Yes, but then it drinks like Madeira, too, except without the good-tasting part.

 

[Kay Bixler]

originally posted by Jay Miller:
1997 Savoye Morgon (courtesy of the Bixlers) was beautiful 2 months ago.

Pleased to hear you enjoyed the wine, Jay. Savoye VV is my favorite.

 

[Kay Bixler]

originally posted by Howard Cooper:
I have 2005 and 2006 Desvignes Javernieres. When would you drink them?

I guess try them at 10 or 15 years old. And at a party.