Beaujolais Nouveau 2023, Domaine Bel Avenir

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, 3km 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."

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