Late in 2010, highly respected Burgundy winemaker Vincent Girardin purchased the historic La Tour du Bief estate in the Moulin-à-Vent region, arguably the most noteworthy of the ten crus (growths) of France’s Beaujolais district… and the rest, as they say, is history.
The first vintage to emerge as a result of that purchase, the 2009 Clos de la Tour, for which Girardin completed the èlevage (maturation), is an absolutely stunning red wine.
Produced from the Gamay grape, Beaujolais wines are known for their pleasantly fruity & youthful character. But those from the Moulin-à-Vent region are quite different; the wines are richer and more concentrated, exhibiting decidedly fuller floral & fruit flavors. And some of the wines are even aged in oak, bestowing a fuller tannin structure, extending their cellaring potential.
Vincent Girardin’s 2009 Clos de la Tour is a striking example of Beaujolais at its very best. The lush blackberry & blueberry flavors mingle easily with notes of spice and dried herbs, finishing with consummatory hints of dark chocolate and the beguiling embrace of silky tannins. No wonder the Wine Spectator rated this wine 54th among the top 100 wines of 2011.
“When in doubt, Beaujolais,” the saying goes. Beaujolais wines are incomparably food friendly, easily matched with a variety of dishes. And they are generally served slightly chilled, which makes them appropriate for every season of the year.
Vincent Girardin’s 2009 Clos de la Tour is the perfect red wine to transport you gently into the joys of spring; and priced around $22.00 it is a relative bargain as well. Highly recommended on all counts.
Cheers!
TAD
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