Paul Janin et Fils - Beaujolais Villages Piémonts 2018

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Full-bodied yet precise. This depth, typical of this cuvée, is accompanied by softer, well-ripened tannins. A benchmark cuvée for this appellation level.

About the estate:

Since 1937, the Paul Janin et Fils estate has been producing Moulin-à-Vent and red and white Beaujolais-Villages wines. Eric Janin, the current owner, represents the fourth generation. He inherited a series of investments that are the foundation of the estate’s success today. In 1937, his grandfather purchased the famous “Le Tremblay” vineyard, and in 1967, his father acquired what is now the estate’s flagship cuvée: the century-old vines of Les Greneriers. Éric Janin is also the father of young Perrine, who is studying oenology and is, in turn, continuing the investments necessary to ensure the estate’s long-term viability. This involves, in particular, massal selections to gradually renew the estate’s stock of old vines. Difficult years have piled up for this cru, and Éric Janin has not escaped the violence of the hailstorms that have devastated the vineyard over the past three years. To preserve what has built the estate’s reputation, wines purchased from other producers now round out the lineup. More classic in style, these wines are well-crafted. As for the estate’s star wines, they are limited in quantity but never disappoint in quality. In 2018, the Vignes-du-Tremblay and Greneriers were magnificent successes.

Bourgogne Aujourd'hui

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

The location and age of the vines aren’t everything. It also takes a farmer’s common sense and the analytical finesse of someone like Éric Janin to produce great Gamays that are both concentrated and fresh. Since his first harvest in 1983, he has maintained a winemaking approach that showcases vineyards located primarily within the Moulin-à-Vent appellation. Some vines, such as Les Greneriers, have lived through both world wars. In 2017, Éric Janin launched a wine trading business in partnership with other winemakers. Chénas, Brouilly, and Beaujolais-Villages now round out his portfolio.

James Suckling

Andreas Larsson