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2018 Domaine Blain Soeur & Frere 'Brouilly'

Published

2018 Domaine Blain Soeur & Frere 'Brouilly'

On Sale: $19.94  (was: $25.94)*

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Cru Beaujolais is a favorite of sommeliers for its ability to pair with food, and speak of its origins just as well as any Burgundy, but at a fraction of the price. Brouilly is the most southerly part of Beaujolais, and it's a crowd favorite among the crus thanks to its downright joyful red fruit and energizing vivacity.

While Beaujolais is typically meant to be opened and enjoyed without much serious thought, there’s no surprise about the very real quality in this ‘Brouilly’ from Domaine Blain. Siblings Lucie and Marc-Antonin, from the family behind Domaine Blain-Gagnard, are at the helm, and like their parents' winery, this is a benchmark for the appellation. This Brouilly is a joyfully unpretentious (and unoaked) red that we can easily see ourselves opening bottle after bottle with friends over the holidays and beyond.

With an incredible sense of place, playful energy, and bold minerality, Brouilly is a favorite of Parisian bistros, as it goes with just about everything. It should noted however that a cru Beaujolais is about as far away from a Beaujolais Nouveau as a Gevrey Chambertin is from an anonymous jug marked ‘XXX’. For Vinous, “there has never been a better time to explore this region’s delicious, approachable wines” and the 2018 Brouilly from Domaine Blain is ready to open and enjoy today. Cheers to that!

91 points, Vinous: "Brilliant violet color. Aromas of fresh red/blue fruits, candied flowers and smoky minerals pick up a spicy nuance with air. Taut and focused on the palate, offering appealingly sweet raspberry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors that very slowly loosen up on the back half. Shows appealing vivacity and finishes gently sweet and quite long, with fine-grained tannins making a late appearance." - Josh Raynolds

90 points, Wine & Spirits: "Brisk with the scent of wild Mediterranean herbs, this gamay looks toward the south in its warm and juicy red fruit. The flavors are bold and lasting, bound by mineral tension and smoky tannins."

*Offer publication date November 22, 2021. Pricing and availability subject to change.