Cote de Brouilly, 2015. Fellot Emmanuel

Beaujolais has been undergoing something of a renaissance since the dark days this region experienced in the 1970s and 1980s. Emmanuel Fellot took over the old Chateau of Pierre Filant in 1991 from his father, following several generations of his family who had run the land since 1829. The Chateau is located between the hills of Brouilly and the Nizerand valley. Beaujolais from Brouilly is uncommon and Fellot also grows Beaujolais Blanc (related to Chardonnay), which composes only 5% of the appellation's total production. This region's prestigious terroir is one of the wine world's best kept secrets!

The vineyard is situated in Southern Beaujolais. The volcanic soil in which it grows gives this Gamay excellent fruit and minerality. As with many winemakers in Beaujolais today, the farming is completely sustainable. This means that the winery uses natural fertilizers and puts vines under grass, which helps develop biodiversity in the vines, among other things. Fellot earned his organic certification in 2019. The vines are an average of 70 years old, and the fruit undergoes whole cluster carbonic maceration for 15 days in concrete vats. It is then aged for 9 months in wooden vats called "foudre" in Beaujolais.

This wine has a striking red garnet color and aromas displaying gooseberries, floral and spicy notes which drift from the glass. The palate is savory and full of fresh fruit, with notes of red berries, red currant, raspberry puree, and spice, followed by a piquant and a bright finish. Pair with grilled chicken skewers or grilled pork chops on a warm summer evening. This wine will also pair well with a pate de campagne as part of a charcuterie board, and don't forget the Mimolette- a favorite cheese of Paul K. Sr.

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