Bernard Vallette, ‘Quatre Saisons’ Beaujolais (2022)
Beaujolais, France— An exciting, high energy organic / biodynamic Gamay from the deep south of Beaujolais (Bernard’s village of Lachassagne is fighting for Cru status, particularly for Beaujolais Blanc). Pomegranate, tart cherry, currants with crushed rock minerality. No S02. From the deep south of Beaujolais in the village of Lachassagne, where the soils are clay and limestone as opposed to granite, Bernard Vallette is biodynamically farming 6.5ha of land passed down through his family from his grandparents. The grapes are all hand harvested and fermented with native yeasts using carbonic maceration and a comparatively lengthy aging in stainless steel. The resulting wines are charming and immensely drinkable in their youth, but also develop nicely with a few years of age. No additions in the cellar (including sugar) and just a touch of SO2 at bottling.