10 Gamays Because You Made it to the Weekend | Wine Enthusiast
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10 Gamays Because You Made it to the Weekend

If your plans this weekend consist of hiding under layers of blankets to avoid the cold, you’ll need a good bottle of wine. Whether you’re looking for a bottle that’s fresh and fruity or bold and ageworthy, look no further than Gamay from Beaujolais, France.

Mostly known for producing the easy-to-drink Beaujolais Nouveau, this versatile red grape is responsible for many of the region’s noteworthy bottles.

So grab and extra blanket (and bottle), curl up on the couch and enjoy some of our recommended finds at all different price points.

Domaine Labruyère 2016 Le Clos du Moulin-à-Vent (Moulin-à-Vent); $79, 94 points. This wood-aged wine offers complex tannins and perfumed fruit. Ripe cherries and spice go with juicy blackberry flavors to produce a wine that will age further. Drink from 2020. Frederick Wildman & Sons, Ltd. Cellar Selection. —Roger Voss

Domaine Chardigny 2017 Le Clos du Chapitre (Saint-Amour); $25, 93 points. In this structured wine, some firm tannins sustain the rich black fruits. Its freshness and dark core are still very young, meaning the wine needs to age. It is heading to be a fine wine, so wait until 2020. Fruit of the Vines, Inc. —R.V.

Château des Jacques 2016 Clos de Rochegrès (Moulin-à-Vent); $43, 93 points. The wood aging of this wine is apparent in the toasty aromas. On the palate though, the rich fruits come right to the fore. The wine has concentration, density and bold black cherry and plum flavors. It needs to age. Drink from 2022. Kobrand. Cellar Selection—R.V.

Château Bonnet 2016 Vieilles Vignes (Juliénas); $25, 92 points. In this full and rich wine, great tannins ride under the black fruits. The wine has structure as well as the fruit of the vintage, suggesting good potential for aging. Drink this well-structured wine from 2020. DHI Selections. —R.V.

Lucien Lardy 2017 Les Roches (Fleurie); $22, 91 points. Vines that are nearly 70 years old form the basis of this rich, generous and concentrated wine. Still young, it shows fleshiness and needs to soften and smooth out. The wine has potential and will be better from 2020. Zancanella Importing Co. —R.V.

Domaine Ruet 2017 Grands Cras (Morgon); $22, 91 points. Schist and granite rocks are behind this big, mineral and structured wine. Its tannins and black fruits are young and demanding aging. The wine has a juicy aftertaste, with black-currant flavors. Drink from 2020. Schatzi Wines. —R.V.

Pardon et Fils 2017 Côte du Py (Morgon); $18, 90 points. The granite soil of this famous vineyard gives this wine its dense minerality and firm tannins. Paired with this solid element, the wine offers rich berry flavors and a fresher acidity. It should age well and will not be ready before 2021. Saranty Imports. —R.V.

Château de Poncié 2016 Le Pré Roi (Fleurie); $20, 90 points. Ripe cherry and red-berry flavors burst from the glass with this deliciously fruity wine. It has a soft texture and richness cut with acidity. This is a wine to savor from 2019. Maisons and Domaines Henriot. —R.V.

Domaine de Javernière 2017 Côte du Py (Morgon); $25, 89 points. Structured, full of dark tannins and with a strong Py mineral streak, this wine from nine acres of old vines is still young and needs time. It has weight along with fresh red-cherry flavors that contrast with the structure. Let it age and drink from 2020. Quintessential Wines. —R.V.

Joseph Drouhin 2018 Nouveau (Beaujolais-Villages); $12, 87 points. This Beaune negociant has produced a ripe, black-fruit-flavored wine that has tannins as well as richness. With its structure along with the acidity and brightness, the wine could age, but is also delicious now. Dreyfus, Ashby & Co. Best Buy. —R.V.