2021 Alex Foillard Côte de Brouilly
WINEMAKER: Alex Foillard
REGION: Beaujolais, FR
VARIETY: Gamay
VITICULTURE: Organic
Foillard is a name that needs no introduction. Alex is the son of legendary Jean Foillard, and his influence is clearly evident (and we're thankful for it). Whole cluster fermentation, natural yeasts, concrete tanks, unfined, unfiltered. Tiny amounts as always. Unmistakably Foillard.
From the north-facing lieu-dit Chavannes, with soils of granite and schist and a thin layer of sandy soils over the top. This area provides for wines with distinct minerality and finesse. This opens in the glass with aromas of fresh raspberries, plums, spices and faint woodsmoke, the 2021 Côte de Brouilly from Alex is medium bodied and attractively fleshy and succulent, with a sweet core of fruit, bright acids and a long succulent finish. I much prefer this 2021 to it's more powerful 2020 counterpart.