Foillard/Alex Beaujolais-Villages 2024

Following in his father Jean's footsteps (a Beaujolais natural wine legend), Alex Foillard is making a name for himself. After travelling the wine world, Alex returned home, sourced a couple of hectares in Brouilly and began crafting his own wines. Organically farmed and made with minimal intervention, they show a bright, juicy style. This delightful unoaked Beaujolais is all juicy red berries - think raspberries just bursting into ripeness - with a touch of something floral, like violets hiding at the edge of a summer meadow. It's light-bodied and refreshing, with a smooth texture and a whisper of tannins. Unfussy winemaking - minimal intervention - lets the fruit shine through.

Importer notes: "[$30 list] Alex may be young, but his wines show plenty of wisdom and depth. In fact, Alex’s Beaujolais-Villages is a sort of tightrope act, looking for that Guy Breton-esque burst of airy pleasure, mixed with a, dare I say it, Jean Foillard-like depth and grip. I was hoping to avoid adding the inevitable mention of Jean when speaking about Alex’s wines, but I just can’t help but think of this as the most compelling and delicious Beaujolais cross-pollination one could wish for."