Jadot Beaujolais Tasting

A tasting of four Louis Jadot Beaujolais for EASCA, held at Cambridge Wine Merchants

 

There was a distinct generational divide at this tasting of Beaujolais - those in their 20s had never tried Beaujolais before or knew of Beaujolais nouveau, whilst those of us who remember a time before the internet and the mobile phone talked of prawn cocktails, power suits and Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé.

 

Like sherry, Beaujolais has come full circle and is on the way back up again. At its best, it is a fresh, juicy gluggable wine to match with duck, ham terrine or salmon.

 

Generally, I find entry-level Beaujolais relatively poor value with better bang for your buck from the Crus, even if they cost a few pounds more.

 

A reliable Burgundy producer (yes, such a thing exists), Jadot prices ambitiously - they are generally solid and rarely disappoint, if less frequently thrilling.

Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages 2013 (£10.99) pleasantly cherry fruited, but the tannins and acidity dominate a little. Light and simple. This was deemed a good barbecue wine, but overpriced.

 

Louis Jadot Moulin a Vent 2010, Chateau de Jacques (£15.99) more interest and better balance, red and black cherry with undergrowth and spice

 

Louis Jadot Fleurie 2011, Chateau de Jacques (£16.49) more complexity and texture, with violets, spice and leather. Some tannic grip on the finish suggests it will keep another year or so.

 

Louis Jadot Morgon 2011, Chateau de Jacques (£14.99) the most harmonious, this is at a peak right now and was the popular favourite of the night. Ripe and plump with hedgerow berries and some Burgundian undergrowth.

For me, the Fleurie just edged it as the best wine of the night on a strictly technical assessment, but the Morgon was drinking beautifully.

 

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