2024 Daniel Bouland Morgon Corcelette Organic, Beaujolais

This wine is the first of three cuvées focusing on Corcelette’s sandy and granitic soils. This soil generates wines of great perfume and finer, rounder tannins than you find in Morgon’s more schist-influenced terroirs. Bouland separates his so-called ‘younger’ vines in this area (60 years on average, so hardly young!) from his oldest bush vines, which are bottled under the Vieilles Vignes label.

Like all Bouland’s wines, this fermented as whole bunches with indigenous yeasts, with the must foot trodden at the end to prolong the fermentation. A fine start to the trio of 2024 Corcelette-labelled cuvées, this is the prettiest and, in some ways, the most accessible to drink. It’s packed with silky blueberry, red flowers and sarsaparilla, and has a seamless structure that is incredibly seductive already. A nip more tannin there than in the appellation above, yet the balance is pinpoint: this is simply gorgeous.

Daniel Bouland Morgon Corcelette Organic is a distinguished red wine from one of Beaujolais' top crus, Morgon, known for its depth, structure, and aging potential. Made by the renowned winemaker Daniel Bouland, this wine is crafted with organic farming methods and minimal intervention, allowing the true expression of the terroir to shine through. The Morgon Corcelette vineyard, one of Bouland's prized sites, is located on granitic soils that are ideal for growing Gamay, the grape variety that defines Beaujolais wines. The Corcelette vineyard's old vines contribute to the wine's complexity and concentration, producing a wine that is rich in flavor yet balanced.

The Morgon Corcelette Organic is made entirely from hand-harvested Gamay grapes, which are fermented with native yeasts to preserve the natural expression of the fruit. After fermentation, the wine is aged in old oak barrels to develop its complexity, adding subtle oak flavors while maintaining the fresh, vibrant fruit character. Bouland's focus on organic practices ensures that the wine is free from synthetic chemicals, allowing for a purer, more authentic expression of the Morgon terroir.

On the nose, Daniel Bouland Morgon Corcelette Organic offers aromas of ripe red berries, such as cherry and raspberry, alongside earthy and floral notes, with hints of spice and a touch of minerality. The palate is elegant and structured, with flavors of dark fruit, a subtle herbal note, and a well-integrated minerality that reflects the vineyard’s granitic soils. The wine has a fine balance of acidity and tannins, which gives it a smooth texture and a long, lingering finish that showcases its complexity and aging potential.

This Morgon is versatile when it comes to food pairings. It pairs wonderfully with a range of dishes, including roasted meats such as duck, pork, or lamb, as well as grilled vegetables, charcuterie, and mushroom-based dishes. Its vibrant acidity and fruit-forward style also make it an excellent match for cheeses like Brie, Camembert, or goat cheese, as well as lighter fare such as fresh salads.