INSIDER'S PICK: 2021 DOMAINE DUPEUBLE BEAUJOLAIS $20.99

This is the time of year that Beaujolais is at the forefront of wine drinker's consciousness. Today is Beaujolais Nouveau Day, so there is plenty of excitement for that. But we always like to remind people of the REAL Beaujolais, the Beaujolais that is great all year round, and can actually maintain and age in the bottle for several years or more in the bottle with ease. Importer Kermit Lynch gained considerable fame in the 1980s bringing over several of the most influential producers in the region (the 'Gang of Four') that set the standard for all wineries since then from the great Crus of the region. Along with his top level producers Kermit also need a great 'everyday' wine, someone that followed the same standards of quality as the others (single domaine, native yeasts, minimal/no SO2, older organically farmed vineyards) but could do so at a more reasonable price. Domaine Dupeuble joined the KL stable in the late 1980s, but has existed since the early 1500s in the very southern end of the Beaujolais region (actually closer to the suburbs of Lyon than the Crus of Brouilly and Morgon). This is always THE textbook example of what good classic Beaujolais should be, outclassing the character of even the Cru bottlings of the more mass produced brands. Color and consistency of a basic Bourgogne Pinot Noir, the nose is all violets, rose petals, dried raspberry and dark cherry skins, completely absent of bubble gum aromas. The palate shows off the unfiltered nature by giving the texture some dusty weight, but also has minimal tannins to allow the clean lip-smacking red fruits and light peppery notes show through. The perfect lunch time wine with cold cuts and lightly gamey meats all year round, but of course a start at Thanksgiving  with pretty much everything you can throw on the table at it. 

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