The Beautiful 2014s from Alain Coudert at Clos de la Roilette!
8/13/15 -
Since taking over the estate from his father Fernand in 1991, Alain Coudert has become one of the most consistent and respected producers in Beaujolais. Alain was a reluctant vigneron, returning to aid the family after his brother had a serous accident in 1979. During our early visits to the estate, the modest Alain would defer to his father who would hold court at the long bar as old bottles were brought up from the cellar. Located near the border with Moulin-a-Vent and having a large percentage of clay with manganese in the soil, the wines here are quite structured for a Fleurie and even poor vintages will show well with ten years of age. "Vinification is the traditional, semi-carbonic Beaujolais style," says Alain. "We do a submerged cap, we do temperature control and we use native yeasts. The idea is obviously to best express our terroir...the result is a more structured wine, somewhere between a "typical" Fleurie and a Moulin-a-Vent. Cuvée Tardive is made from 80 year-old vines and can seriously age - in a way it's to prove that Gamay is a grape that can achieve more than youthful drinkability."
2014 is proving to be an excellent vintage in Beaujolais as sunny weather arrived in late August and early September, saving a poor summer that had caused dismay and distress among vignerons. While the wines may not have quite the structure of 2010 nor the weight and alcohol of 2009, there is bright acidity, lovely balance and beautiful fruit. Tasted in early February and again this week, it's clear that Alain has once again produced gorgeous wines that will be a joy to drink over the next ten to fifteen years. The Cuvée Tardive is particularly delicious and belongs in the cellar of every lover of Beaujolais. Also offered today is the 2013 Griffe du Marquis which has benefitted from its extra time in small barrel, bringing structure and complexity to the very ripe material. "The name comes from my parents surname in the village, which was Marquis," says Alain, "It's definitely not from past lineage, so don't think we're royalists!" Royalist or not Alain Coudert is producing regal wines at the Clos de la Roilette which should not be missed in this lovely vintage for Beaujolais.
