Pierre Chermette Vissoux Cuvee Traditionnelle Origine 2016

Vissoux's emblematic Cuvée Traditionnelle Vieilles Vignes was first bottled in 1986 - at the behest of Jean Brouilly, the Michelin-starred chef of Tarare Restaurant. The idea behind this wine was to be a counter-reaction to the prevailing, highly industrial tendencies in Beaujolais of the time. It instantly caused a sensation, launching the fame of the Chermette wines and igniting heated debates within the region. Inadvertently or not, this low sulphur, hand-picked, old vine, organic, whole bunch, natural yeast fermented, unchapitalised, low yield (pauses for breath!), unfiltered wine had critiqued the oceans of bland, homogenised Beaujolais being produced in the region. It had raised the bar considerably for 'standard', non-cru Beaujolais and it remains today a benchmark. In fact, this is still an atypically, 'traditional' Beaujolais and one of the most succulent, rewarding and authentic wines you could hope to find in the region. And look at the price! Only in Le Beaujolais! The fruit source is four hectares in St Vérand, sited on a patch of dark granite (within a limestone-rich area), a soil that that partly accounts for the wine's 'cru' level depth and minerality. The vine age also helps, being 35 to 85 years old. These vines produce a considerably deeper, plumper, silkier wine than the Griottes. Already dripping with floral, spicy, red and black currant and cherry fruit this has a fabulous texture shot through with lip-smacking acidity and some fine tannins. Again, the price is peanuts bearing in mind how much you are getting.