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Beaujolais Nouveau 2002 from Roger Harris

When I was making my first exploratory steps into the world of wine, in the 1980s, I did partake of the Beaujolais Nouveau experience. I quickly learned, however, that although the quest to taste the young Beaujolais producers wine was great fun, the wine itself was usually better after six or so months in bottle. The best ever bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau I tasted was, in fact, opened the following Easter.

Nowadays I can pay less attention to the phenomenon than I used to. There are so many fine wines available, that it can be difficult to squeeze in the odd bottle of Cru Beaujolais, never mind Nouveau. This is despite certain knowledge that mature examples of some Cru Beaujolais wines can be of very good quality, often described as akin to maturing Burgundy.

Fortunately there are some that continue to fly the flag of quality for Beaujolais. Many such producers can be found listed at Roger Harris wines, who can be contacted on 01603 880171. There follows a selection of Nouveau wines (increasingly called 'primeur') available from this merchant. (27/11/02)

Beaujolais Nouveau 2002 - Tasting Notes

Tasted in November 2002. Click to locate stockists:

Blaise Carron Beaujolais Primeur 2002: A vibrant cherry red hue. Strawberries with a confected edge on the nose, like a fruit crumble. A light body, with some soft fruits and fairly sharp, spicy, perhaps even spiky acidity on the palate. 14/20

Jean François Garlon Beaujolais Primeur 2002: A slightly darker and denser colour. Blackcurrants and pears on the nose. On the palate, a touch richer than the last wine, with more body, and an oily edge to the mouthfeel. Good acidity. More pear and black fruits. Typical nouveau. 15/20

Gilles et Cécile Roux Beaujolais Villages Primeur 2002: Good colour, a vibrant red. On the nose there are chewy cherry and summer berry fruits, with a hint of liquorice. More balanced on the palate than the previous wines, more densely flavoured, with some pleasant chewy fruits. Good fresh acidity, and nicely textured. This is the sort of wine worth cellaring for a few months. 15.5/20