Fast facts:
- 2020 Domaine des Quatre Vents, Fleurie, France ($14.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)
A wine from Fleurie? This is is a first. Perhaps it’s because old world wines are not espeically well known or stocked here on the Left Coast and the wines from this area tend to be the priciest from Beaujolais. But Trader Joe’s has softend the blow here.
Fleurie (which translates to “flowery”) is one of the 10 Beaujolais Crus, and perhaps its name is why we tend to think we smell floral notes from the wine in the glass:
Tasting Notes:
Pours a nice, deep ruby. The nose evokes the harvest in France for me, sigh. Lovely floral aromas comingled with plum. Rich red fruit flavors of raspberry preserves, strawberry and vanilla with a lingering finish. Would pair well with red meats, lamb shank, spicy dishes, mature cheeses and vegetarian fare featuring tomato sauces, legumes and mushrooms. ABV = 14.5%.
Not to be confused with the rushed-to-market Beaujolais Nouveau, the wines of Fleurie nonetheless share some commonalities. Among these are the fact that the wine is 100% made from the Gamay grape. As such, its sensory profile (with flirtatious juicy aromas and flavors with an apetizing acidity) is similar, but rather then being made to be drunk ASAP, this wine is built to be enjoyed years, not weeks after its release. In other words, there is time for an aging regimen in world class French oak barrels. This quality step makes all the difference. This is a fun, delicious wine that will complement a wide range of foods. You won’t regret parting with $15 to expand your wine experience. After all, as the neck shows, critic James Suckling bestowed 92 points on this wine.
Here is a bit more translation for you: Domaine des Quatre Vents means “areas of four winds”. This portends good quality. Steady winds and the ventilation provided help prevent mold from growing on the grapes. There you have it, dueling lessons in French and viticulture. Who else does this for you?
Need More Wine Picks from Trader Joe’s – or Costco?
If your search for this wine lands you in Trader Joe’s, take along our handy Lucky 13 list of TJ’s wine here.
And if your wine shopping excursions land you in Costco, prepare by grazing our most recent reviews of Costco wines here in our Lucky 13 list.
Cheers!
Leave a Reply