It’s that time again Le Beaujolais est Arrivé! 

Once again we have partnered with Cecile and Alain Dardenelli from Domaine Bel Avenir in La Chapelle de Guinchay, 3 kilometrs east of Chenas.

Their grapes are harvested from vines planted on an array of different terroirs: siliceous clay (St Amour), granite (Chenas) and limestone. The couple own vineyards in the Beaujolais-Villages plain as well as in the Crus of Juliénas, Chénas, St Amour and Fleurie.

The growing season has been unusual this summer. It was a tough year, with lots of challenging weather, but Cecile Dardanelli selected the grapes carefully and crafted a wonderfully tasty wine.

Wine professionals have been sharing their thoughts on social media...

On Instagram basic_girl_drinks_wine said, "I was a little hesitant as I prefer spicy heavier reds. I loved this though! The bright reddy-pink wine is packed full of strawberry candy, sharp raspberry and a dash of cranberry... I'm a total convert." She went on to award it 9/10 in her interestingly named Poshed Pissed Rating.

Wine pro and journalist Joanna Simon was also full of praise, saying, "can’t think when I last enjoyed a Beaujolais Nouveau, but this is different. Proper wine. Thank you Domaine bel Avenir and Wickhams."

The Sunday Express columnist Dr Jamie Goode described it as a really good example of Nouveau, "on the nose it has a big impact of bubble-gum, raspberries and cherries... In the mouth it's fresh, vibrant, juicy and primary... I think it's a delicious example of Nouveau."

Learn More about Beaujolais Nouveau