2016 Valerie Forgues
Gamay
Touraine, Loire Valley
Regular Price $24.99
Sale Price $19.99
Loire Valley Gamay is one of the grapes that wine critics almost never reference, as the resulting wines are seldom deep, dense, hedonistic, jammy or purple/black. Instead, they are often balanced, precise, transparent and delicious, exhibiting aromas of the soil and river stones alongside vibrant fresh berry flavors. Like this wine. Did I say that it’s delicious?
But, I’m not going to make this about wine critics; you all know how I feel about them. Instead, I really want to impress upon you just how good this wine is.
Ms. Forgues’ story is impressive in its own right, but this wine delivers all the minerality, floral freshness, bright berry and succulent, mouthwatering acidity one encounters in top-tier Cru Beaujolais —along with impressive power and firm tannins. It drinks well above its price tag, showing great sophistication without sacrificing one ounce of vibrant energy and joy. It’s exactly what a great wine is all about. Perhaps one day, a wine critic will actually understand that.