Description

Jean Foillard and the Foillard Cote du Py are icons of French wine. From 1985 he followed Marcel Lapierre and Jules Chauvet into the depth of ‘natural’ Beaujolais. The wines are compelling but worthy of time in the cellar. Don’t think, just buy! Foillard Cuvee 3.14 is from the oldest vines of the Foillard Cote du Py. Ancient vines, grown in the best terroir of Beaujolais, from one of the regions greatest producers. What else do you need to know about Jean Foillard Cuvee 3.14 Morgon 2016? Kermit Lynch’s profile on Foillard.

Jean Foillard Cuvee 3.14 Morgon 2016 Wine Review

“The 2016 Morgon Cuvée 3.14 is a beautiful wine in the making, unfurling in the glass with scents of rose petals, blood orange, sweet wild berries, smoked meats and some subtly reductive top notes that dissipate in the glass. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, velvety and enveloping, with a deeper and more reserved profile than Foillard’s dramatic 2016 Côte du Py, underpinned by succulent acids and framed by powdery tannins. Right now, the gap between the two cuvées isn’t hugely pronounced, but I expect it to open up as time passes and the more concentrated but equally well-balanced 3.14 begins to unwind.” 95+/100 William Kelley Issue 244, The Wine Advocate

Morgon

This is the closest to Moulin-a-Vent in terms of weight and structure, and it can age nearly as well. It has a firm minerality, thanks chiefly to its granitic soils, and a fruit profile that shades towards orange.

Cote du Py Morgon

Considered one of the great sites for Beaujolais. The slope outside the town of Villié-Morgon featuring granite and schist soils sitting on an alluvial fan that imparts great complexity. Côte du Py has upwards of 100 growers sharing it. Therefore you get a great chance to try many examples.

Beaujolais

Most famous for aromatic, light of body, high acid reds made from the Gamay variety. There is a Burgundian sensibility on Rhone soil types which makes for an interesting style. The quality wines are refreshingly tart with aromatic complexity and enough fruit weight to balance out the tartness. You do have the option of cellaring your quality Beaujolais but often it is not required. The best wines are in the 10 Crus of the region with the lesser appellations being akin to an ocean in more ways than one.  Whites from Chardonnay are available but hard to find.

Gamay

Grown in the French regions of Beaujolais and Loire Valley. It is early budding, high cropping, aromatic and high acid. Once outlawed from Burgundy by Duke Philippe the Bold for being disloyal. But has no doubt made up for that with honourable service. The best wines from Gamay can be Burgundian in flavour and well worth seeking out. Often they are exceptionally good value too.