I didn’t want to check up the price this was selling at. Since Julie’s tragic death in 2023, the prices for her wines have skyrocketed. Looking up the price would have defied what her wines stand for. Uncomplicated, joyful and a character so pure. Money plays no role here.
It isn’t that long ago that I had my first glass of Julie Balagny. In fact, it was a kind stranger who shared a glass of her bottle with me at the Butcher of Paris. It was shortly after her passing away. And while I was telling my wife about it – this kind stranger shared a glass with us. Whether that wine would be memorable that day, didn’t matter. The moment was. What I remember clearly from that glass, was the incredible structure, combined with a chocolatey sweetness that gave length.
Was this bottle going to give some more of that deliciousness? Was it going to be great? It didn’t really matter. It was for sure to be emotional. When we drink wine of people who have passed away, the telltale of drinking history is even more present. And in Julie’s case, legacy.
Pop ‘n Pour and already so expressive with fatty dark cherry fruit. Pure, yet generous. At 13.5% alcohol, which is hardly a surprise in 2022, this cuvee would have properly been a little bit higher, and warmer than Julie would have wished for. Luckily there’s a touch of green stemminess, bringing things into balance.
All that flavor is wrapped in cacao and bitter-sweet chocolate. With the fruit hinting towards a cherry liquor bonbon. Exactly the same as that magical glass I tried in Paris.
Behind all of that, there’s this presence of sappy pine needle, something herbal and dried mushroom simply floating on top, and then again hiding behind the fruit.
The wine is pretty weighty with fruit lingering on the upper gums. Slight spicy, and herbal with the cherry bonbon making its return on the palate followed by crushed rock.
For the people trying to find something negative, you’ll have your day. There’s noticeable VA on this. The less fortunate of us will say it’s a default. But you’re wrong. The VA is lifting all these pure, fruity aromas up and keeping things way more interesting, for what in the end is generic Beaujolais.
This was a good wine. And a great wine to me. It’s timely, yet timeless. A slice of history, to be enjoyed now and something that we can’t enjoy again.
sid_loves_wine
Oh wow, just read about her a little bit. Thank you for the beautiful notes, poignant. I never tried her wines but I remember admiring the labels, and I certainly really love Beaujolais. I’ll see if I can track one down
2 Comments
I didn’t want to check up the price this was selling at. Since Julie’s tragic death in 2023, the prices for her wines have skyrocketed. Looking up the price would have defied what her wines stand for. Uncomplicated, joyful and a character so pure. Money plays no role here.
It isn’t that long ago that I had my first glass of Julie Balagny. In fact, it was a kind stranger who shared a glass of her bottle with me at the Butcher of Paris. It was shortly after her passing away. And while I was telling my wife about it – this kind stranger shared a glass with us. Whether that wine would be memorable that day, didn’t matter. The moment was. What I remember clearly from that glass, was the incredible structure, combined with a chocolatey sweetness that gave length.
Was this bottle going to give some more of that deliciousness? Was it going to be great? It didn’t really matter. It was for sure to be emotional. When we drink wine of people who have passed away, the telltale of drinking history is even more present. And in Julie’s case, legacy.
Pop ‘n Pour and already so expressive with fatty dark cherry fruit. Pure, yet generous. At 13.5% alcohol, which is hardly a surprise in 2022, this cuvee would have properly been a little bit higher, and warmer than Julie would have wished for. Luckily there’s a touch of green stemminess, bringing things into balance.
All that flavor is wrapped in cacao and bitter-sweet chocolate. With the fruit hinting towards a cherry liquor bonbon. Exactly the same as that magical glass I tried in Paris.
Behind all of that, there’s this presence of sappy pine needle, something herbal and dried mushroom simply floating on top, and then again hiding behind the fruit.
The wine is pretty weighty with fruit lingering on the upper gums. Slight spicy, and herbal with the cherry bonbon making its return on the palate followed by crushed rock.
For the people trying to find something negative, you’ll have your day. There’s noticeable VA on this. The less fortunate of us will say it’s a default. But you’re wrong. The VA is lifting all these pure, fruity aromas up and keeping things way more interesting, for what in the end is generic Beaujolais.
This was a good wine. And a great wine to me. It’s timely, yet timeless. A slice of history, to be enjoyed now and something that we can’t enjoy again.
Oh wow, just read about her a little bit. Thank you for the beautiful notes, poignant. I never tried her wines but I remember admiring the labels, and I certainly really love Beaujolais. I’ll see if I can track one down