There’s something of an interesting happenstance that the release of the first crop of Beaujolais, happens to be so close to Thanksgiving. The coincidence would be mostly forgettable, if not for the fact that Beaujolais tends to make a perfect partner in crime for turkey. With the release of the first vintage of 2015 wine, is it worth it to pick up a bottle of the fresh Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2015 for your Thanksgiving?
A random note for the uninitiated, every year Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau’s label changes, and is in someway fun or special. This year is no exception, and the gold shadows are a fun touch. Anyways, on with the tasting of the wine…
Sight: Bright, magenta from edge to edge and concentrated in the core.
Smell: Bright berries jump up on the nose, mixing fresh ripe strawberries with raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. The overall mixture gives off a slightly artificial wildberry smell, reaching toward fruit punch or boysenberry. There’s a touch of fresh potting soil laced in the background.
Sip: Light bodied, smooth, and bright, with lots of strawberries and raspberries to lead off. The strawberry and raspberry notes get fleshier, pulling in a touch of tannin like blackberry or plum skin.
Savor: The ending is full of bright red fruits like currants and raspberry.
Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau is still a fantastic choice to drink young (with in the year, as Nouveau is not designed for any sort of aging). While the price point this year seems a bit higher than in years past, the wine itself is quite deep for gamay (the grape Beaujolais is produced from). The refreshing flavors of bright young fruit are prevalent, and thanks to the acidity, ready for food. Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau represents a great choice for a light red, and a good value for Thanksgiving, leftover turkey, poultry, or a picnic.
Verdict: Strawberry, Raspberry, Light Bodied, Bright
Price: $12 [which is high in my opinion for Beaujolais, look for $7-9]
Beaujolais, France (ABC)
Want to get a better price on Georges Deboeuf Beaujolais Noveau 2015? Check out Wine Library’s deal