Domaine la Portell, Fleurie, 2018
I've previously had the 2017 of this wine, which was my first time with anything Beaujolais. I wrote these notes back in September of last year:
My first time with a Fleurie and I think my first taste of Gamay (though I could be wrong). Berries and a little bit of oak on the nose. The palette is surprisingly light and fresh, with lots of subtle fruit and a flavour that I keep wanting to describe as "high pitched" even though that doesn't make much sense. Very little of that oakiness on the nose is present in the palette, and the mellow tannins and low acidity plus a fairly short finish makes this a really easy drink. You could be drinking fruit juice rather than wine.
I really enjoyed it on its own (had a single glass using my Coravin) but I'd have to think carefully about how to pair it with a meal, as the flavours would disappear with anything even slightly rich. Normally my tastes tend to big, hold flavours and this was a little on the subtle side so I'm surprised by how much I liked it.
The 2018 is definitely a bit more present than the 2017. It's not as light and fruity as I remember the 2017 being, with a little more body and tannin and a slightly longer finish. There's less bright red fruit here and more tertiary characteristics with some subtle earthy undertones.
People always tell me that gamay tastes like bubblegum but I'm yet to experience that. Beaujolais nouveau day is coming up fast, though, so maybe I'll find it then.