The Talented Mr. Bouland: Morgon Magnificence

"It's clear by now that Daniel Bouland is one of Beaujolais's major as well as most consistent talents." 
David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate

"Daniel Bouland is one of the best winemakers in Morgon. Perhaps his profile is not as high as the likes of Lapierre or Foillard, but I think his wines are on the same quality level.” 
Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate 

I hate to pick favorites. Believe me, there is no fun in doing so. But if there's anything I've strived to learn in my adulthood and that holds more true in these dark times than ever before: honesty is the most noble virtue we can strive for. And with this poetic justice, I bring to you my favorite Beaujolais producer and one of my favorite producers of wine of all time: Daniel Bouland.

Not to dwell on this boring topic, but there is a difference between favorite and best. We all have a memory of the best meal we've ever had but we still have a favorite restaurant we like to eat at, which we wouldn't exchange for anything in the world. This is the way I feel about Daniel Bouland.

For starters, this was one of the first Beauolais I discovered over a decade ago, when I first got into wine, which made me go: oh, so that's Beaujolais. I get it now. It was perhaps one of the first wines that allowed me to acknowledge what I and others call purity in wine.  This is a hard term to dive into as one might question the validity of such a statement when so many wines are in fact pure. For me, over a decade ago and till today, I use this term when something about a wine freezes you in your tracks and automatically brings you to a special place. Even if you have never set foot in Beaujolais, purity is what allows you to reflect on it. Purity is what lets you feel the inside of the wine, not just taste and enjoy it. 

Okay, I've waxed poetic enough for a spring Tuesday. Let's cut to the point: Folks, these are amazing wines and we have plenty in stock which is really rare. Each of them distinct, subliminal, alive and focused. Can't recommend enough! 

2016 Daniel Bouland Chiroubles Chatenay
Original price: $27.99,
On-Sale: $24.99
A parcel in lieu-dit Chatenay that lies about one km to the north of Corcelette, high on the hill of Chiroubles.  The soil is friable sandstone, and the wine the epitome of Chiroubles - sensational aromatics and brimming with fruit.
92 Points Josh Raynolds:  "Vivid ruby. Sexy, high-pitched red berry and floral aromas are complemented by suggestions of Asian spices and succulent herbs. Sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering juicy raspberry liqueur and lavender pastille flavors that are given spine and lift by a zesty mineral flourish. In a seamless, expressive style, finishing sappy, sweet and very long, with just a hint of silky tannins and an emphatic floral note."

2016 Daniel Bouland Cote de Brouilly Cuvee Melanie
Original price: $28.99, 
On-Sale: $25.99
Daniel’s parcel lies within the lieu dit Tête Noire, high on the Cote de Brouilly, which like Côte de Py in Morgon, is volcanic blue schist.  This terroir gives the wine its distinctive minerality to go with the elegance and structure of Brouilly.
93 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Lurid violet. A suave, mineral-accented bouquet evokes fresh red/blue fruits and potpourri, and a spicy element adds urgency. Bright, focused and appealingly sweet, offering concentrated yet lithe raspberry and boysenberry flavors that deepen with aeration. Distinctly graceful in style, finishing gently tannic and impressively long and leaving a sexy lavender pastille note behind."

2016 Daniel Bouland Morgon Schiste Bellevue
Original price: $27.99,
On-Sale: $24.99
This cuvée of Morgon, Daniel produces from a single parcel in lieu-dit Bellevue where the soil is schist, and like Côte de Py, has a distinctive mineral quality and above all “class” that comes out more and more with age.
92 Points+ VCF
60 year old vines on schist and Granite from the Bellevue vineyard. This is old school Morgon at its finest. Fresh berries, crushed rose petals, quaint cola, herbs, minerals. Soft, ethereal and grace filled on the palate. Long and melodic finish. 

2016 Daniel Bouland Morgon Vieilles Vignes Corcelette 
Original price: $29.99,
On-Sale: $26.99
Daniel’s classic Morgon, vines  60-70 years, with a combination of part of the cuvée being aged in tank and part in 2000 Liter Rousseau foudre.  Fine, silky and long, from the sable soil.
94 Points Josh Raynolds: "Bright magenta. Energetic red/blue fruit scents, along with fresh violet and peppery spice nuances. Pliant and spicy on the palate, offering sweet black raspberry and boysenberry flavors underscored by a smoky mineral quality. Smooth tannins shape the finish, which shows excellent clarity and noteworthy persistence, leaving behind sappy blue fruit and floral pastille notes. I think this must be the most impressive rendition of this bottling that I've ever experienced."

2016 Daniel Bouland Morgon Delys Vielles Vignes
Original price: $29.99,
On-Sale: $26.99
DeLys is sable soil and one of the best situated in the appellation.  Daniel’s parcel was planted in 1926 and yields are sometimes as low as 15 hl/ha.