2015 seemed to get all the hype , and did indeed produce some very good Beaujolais. But 2016 in our experience has eclipsed it. The cru wines from Piron will always continue to develop flesh and complexity over the handful of years following release, but what we love about these is the bright crunchy fruit allied to a real sense of place – communicated through mineral feel and tannin (people are wont to think that Gamay lacks the latter, but it ain’t so – and the best wines show it to great advantage in the guise of weight, shape and texture).
Here we have an extremely tidy line-up of wines, from Piron’s best Villages to date through the juicy, easy-going Brouily, the charming-as-ever Fleurie to an exceptionally classy and complete Morgon Côte du Py.
2016 Dominique Piron Beaujolais-Villages RRP $25
This is textbook, crunchy fresh, but amply fruited Beaujolais. Cherry and iron, a little spice, fine grained tannin, juicy cherry/raspberry flavour with a seasoning of dried herb and flowers, and a ferrous finish of satisfying length. Beauty. 90 points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
This wine is positively thirst quenching with its bright, crunchy red cherry and raspberry fruit flavours racing across the palate, with length and acidity perfectly integrating to extinguish a lusty thirst. This is yardstick, gluggable B-V, which ticks all the boxes as a red to drink in copious quantities. A steal at the price. Yes please. Frank Wilden, Business Insider
2016 Dominique Piron Brouilly RRP $32
Bright ruby with a classic youthful pink rim. The nose is reminiscent of cool mountain air, alpine herbs, macerated redcurrants, red cherry, green peppercorn spice, orange pekoe tea and hints of marjoram. A second look reveals pretty dried rose petals. Medium bodied, yet mouth-filling flavour of plums, black cherry, and gravelly minerality. Tannins are supple and fine, the acidity on point with freshness and moreish crunch. There is a deceptively long finish, with the red fruits rolling on nicely without ever dominating the sense of old world character and poise. – Tom Brushfield, CellarHand
2016 Dominique Piron Fleurie RRP $37
Cherry pip, flowers, a spicy and mineral feel. Medium bodied, bright and pippy fruit with a spread of fine grained tannin, cool acidity, and a very good finish, fresh and long. Tasty. 92 points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
Produced from vines that are more than 50 years old, this wine is concentrated and dense. It also has the great style and elegance that is the hallmark of Fleurie. Black fruits are cut with good acidity, giving a juicy character to balance the ripe tannins. This beautiful wine will be ready to drink from late 2018. 93 points. Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast
2016 Dominique Piron Côte du Py RRP $43
This young wine has great potential. It shows weight and a powerful tannic structure as well as bold, ripe black fruits. Coming from the top sector of Morgon, the wine has concentration and richness. It needs to age, and won’t be ready before 2019. 94 points. Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast January 2018