1983 Jean Claude Boisset Morgon

Jean-Claude Boisset founded his negociant enterprise in 1961 when he was an ambitious 18-year-old. Boisset set up his business in Nuits-Saint-Georges in a former Ursulines convent and for four decades built his business with international sales. In 2002 his son Jean-Charles took over and expanded the negociant business into a hybrid venture that also vinifies wine from many Burgundy appellations. Gregory Patriat is Boisset’s viniculturalist, sourcing grapes from carefully selected growers. The estate makes Premier Cru and village wines.

Morgon is considered one of the finest of the Beaujolais Cru appellations. It is also the second largest with 2,717 acres of vineyards. The appellation is in central Beaujolais south of Fleurie and is centered around Mont du Py, whose Côte du Py granite hillsides are home to some of the best Morgon vineyards. The Gamays made in Morgon are full-bodied and concentrated but less fruity than other Beaujolais Crus. Morgons are also known for their ability to age, unlike some other Beaujolais. The alcohol content is often relatively high and in some vintages the wines approach 14% alcohol. About 700,000 cases are produced annually.

The Gamay grape produces a light, versatile and food-friendly wine. It is best known for making Beaujolais Nouveau, but it is also grown in Loire and Tours. Thankfully the 14th C. Duke of Burgundy’s degree to ban the grape did not spread through all of France.