This wine was a gift from the winemaker (Jean-Marie Appelt) during a visit to his cellars in '01, given on the condition that I tell the world about his wines. What follows is my end of the bargain:
color: dark ruby-purple with no hint of browning nose: cedar, pencil shavings, dark cherry fruit palate: full, rich, dark fruit, cedar, great structure
All in all, I'd not have guessed that this was Gamay had I been tasting it blind. Even knowing what it was, I was amazed that it was a Fleurie, not the weightiest of B'lais Crus. This old-school producer, the friend of a friend, proudly claimed to me in '01 of a recent '47 Chiroubles that he'd that was not only still alive, but a dead-ringer for an old Cotes de Nuits. Having tasted this wine at 5 years of age, I am now a believer. This was not your mother's Beaujolais! ;-)
Mark Lipton p.s. A remarkably good match with rabbit in mustard sauce.