“Enjoy how much better value it is than so many red burgundies.” That’s what Jancis Robinson wrote about the 2017 edition of Dominique Piron’s top cuvée. Morgon is Piron’s patch, and the president of Inter-Beaujolais – the body tasked with extolling the virtues of Gamay in its homeland – expresses it to the max. “They seem to have had a string of good vintages in Beaujolais, and I think I like the playful and fruity 2018s quite a lot,” wrote The Wine Front’s Gary Walsh about the vintage that’s just landed in Australia.
And as is always the case, there’s no time like spring for digging into these fresh, zesty mid-weight reds that express fruit and mineral with such character. We adore the personality expressed – with sneaky complexity – by these three different crus, too. Outstanding value for such definition, with loose-knit, fleshy Brouilly, pretty-but-assertive Fleurie and a Morgon wine that shows the alluring depth and structure of its origins.
2018 Dominique Piron Beaujolais-Villages RRP $27
They seem to have had a string of good vintages in Beaujolais, and I think I like the playful and fruity 2018s quite a lot. Fresh, raspberry and cherry, floral perfume. It’s light and juicy, but sports a bit of ‘mineral’ stuff and fine dusty tannin to keep it on the straight and narrow. Finish is fresh. It’s easy to like. 90 points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front October 2019
2018 Dominique Piron Brouilly RRP $35
Cherry and spice, new leather and perfume of dried herb and flowers. Medium-bodied, grainy but ripe tannin, a certain stickiness and savoury edge, ample fruit, perhaps some dark chocolate in the mix, and a solid finish. Delivers the goods, and offers depth and enjoyment with it. 92 points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front January 2020
2018 Dominique Piron Fleurie RRP $41
Rich raspberry, floral perfume, sweet spice and a subtle earthiness. Medium-bodied, supple and fleshy and well packed in the tannin department, cool clear acidity, succulence and depth, with ripe silty tannin flowing on a long and satisfying finish. Violet perfume lingering. Charm is laid on pretty thick here. Nice plus plus. 94 points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front January 2020
2018 Dominique Piron Morgon Côte du Py RRP $46
375ml RRP $29
MAGNUM RRP $92
Dark cherry, baking spice, almost a liquorice richness here, floral and sooty too. Rich and well appointed, distinct ‘mineral’ feel, all crushed granite and flat soda water kind of thing, floral mouth perfume, depth with clarity, powerful finish, leaning towards raspberry and a slick of earthy tannin and fragrance to close. Yes. 94 points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front January 2020