Vignerons de Bel Air Beaujolais Villages 2022

Unfairly out of fashion for the past couple of decades, Beaujolais is now back on trend and its wines are much in demand. Plus, quality has never been higher. The region comprises the most southerly part of Burgundy, and its Cru wines can be as evocative as many top Pinot Noirs. This cuvée, from a well-established winery formed by local growers in 1929, uses grapes from vines that hug the foothill of Cru Brouilly. The wine certainly bears more than an echo of its classy neighbour. Full of bright fresh fruit charm, this wine is from the small, high-quality 2022 vintage. Using traditional whole-grape fermentation, winemaker Sébastien Robin accentuated the juicy fruitiness of this wine. A top red served cool on its own or with charcuterie.