Xavier Benier Côte de Brouilly 2023

Xavier Benier produces this red from the Côte de Brouilly cru in southern Beaujolais, France, from the Gamay grape. The hill of Brouilly is an old volcano, and its blue schist and granite soils, locally called pierre bleue, are what set the cru apart, giving wines more mineral grip and structure than basic Beaujolais. The vineyards are farmed organically, and the wine is made with a natural approach, fermented with native yeasts and bottled with minimal intervention to keep the fruit pure and the aromatics intact. Gamay here is typically vinified by semi-carbonic maceration, fermenting whole bunches in a sealed tank so that fermentation begins inside each berry, which builds bright red fruit and softens tannin while preserving freshness. The colour is bright translucent ruby. The nose is lifted and floral, with raspberry, cherry and redcurrant over crushed pepper, violets and a faint smoky, stony note. The palate is light to medium bodied, juicy and fresh, with low soft tannins, crunchy acidity and a mineral finish from the volcanic soils. Serve cool at 13 to 14 degrees. It is a fine match for charcuterie, roast poultry and mushroom dishes.