2018 Guy Breton Regnie

Also known as "Petit Max" by his friends, Guy Breton is certainly a name in everyone's ear ever since Kermit Lynch dubbed him, together with Marcel Lapierre, Jean-Paul Thévenet and Jean Foillard, as Beaujolais famous "Gang of Four" in the '80s. The essence of their philosophy: take a step back, appreciate and cultivate old vines, apply organic farming practices, avoid the use of sulphur, let natural ferments do their magic and help the terroir express itself through minimal intervention. Following these principals, each of them has ever since proven that Beaujolais is more than just 'Nouveau' and can indeed produce meaningful, complex and wonderful wines.

Breton loves wines that are easy to drink, and his are typically the lightest in color, the lowest in alcohol, and the least tannic of the Gang of Four. He took over his grandfather's domaine in 1986 and is nowadays farming 4 hectares organically, with around 80% being planted in the Morgon appellation. The age of his vines varies, with the oldest 80-year-old vines dedicated to his “Vieilles Vignes” cuvée. After careful selection of grapes in the vineyard, vinification begins with carbonic maceration at low temperatures. Fermentation occurs naturally and lasts usually between 15 and 21 days. Once the process is finished the grapes are pressed in an old wooden press. The wines are then aged in used Burgundian barrels before they are bottled unfiltered and unfined.

Bright red colour with subtle tinges of black around the edges and a vibrant red purple hue. Very perfumed nose with rose petal, violet, red cherry, raspberry and strawberry scents blossoming out of the glass followed by some incense and fresh herb notes. Light, pretty and elegant in its feel, juicy red fruits infused with rose petals are trailed by light incense and spicy fresh herbs. Finishes dry with bright acidity and a savoury medium to long aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5%

Other Reviews....
Aromas of cherries, raspberries, fresh herbs and licorice introduce the 2018 Régnié, a medium to full-bodied, satiny and elegant wine that's open-knit and charming, with melting tannins and succulent acids. It spent six months in used wooden barrels. It's only 12.5% alcohol even in this ripe vintage.
91 Points
William Kelley - The Wine Advocate