NEW ARRIVALS! 2015 Calot Morgon Vieilles Vignes
Once you taste the wines of Domaine Calot, you immediately understand the potential of cru Beaujolais. The family’s ancient Gamay vines, pure granite vineyards and expert, yet reasoned, touch in the cellar come together for a Morgon cru that is serious yet sensual.
With Calot, think fine Burgundy, never simple Beaujolais!
It was with the Calot family more than 20 years ago that we first realized just how convincing cru Beaujolais could be. Jean Calot was always an earnest artist among casual winemakers, many of whom still believe Beaujolais should be just simple and fun, not profound or age-worthy.
Yet Morgon deserves better. One of Beaujolais’ more muscular, concentrated crus, Morgon chez Calot is truly Burgundian in style, delivering the meaty, earthy seduction of Gevrey-Chambertin with the juicy balance of Morey-Saint-Denis — without compromising the tangy energy that great Gamay has in spades.
We’ve loved this older-vine Morgon over the years because it just keeps giving: gorgeous and fleshy when young, Calot Morgon ages stupendously, shining with five to even 10 years of cellar time.
And think about it: How many Burgundy wines can you name that hail from 100-year-old vines on terroir that should essentially be “premier cru” and still cost under $30? We thought so.
Brothers Jean and François Calot have been working side by side in Villié-Morgon, the heart and soul of the larger Morgon appellation, for decades. Their dedication to crafting the most expressive, long-lived Gamay wines has never faltered.
Sadly, Jean passed away in early 2015, but his spirit certainly lives on. Jean’s nephew Vincent and brother François are keeping the family tradition alive — including the “open door” tasting room where locals gather daily after 6 to share a glass or two.
The 2015 Calot Morgon Vieilles Vignes has just arrived in our temperature-controlled warehouse, and of course we’ve already popped a few corks.
Full-bodied, robust, spiced — but balanced and tangy and wonderfully fresh, too. This is a powerhouse of a wine that will go the long-haul, and bar none, it’s one of the best cellar buys there is. Don’t miss it!
2015 Domaine Calot Morgon Vieilles Vignes
A gorgeous, full-bodied and seductive Gamay wine from high-altitude vineyards in the heart of Morgon. Most of the family’s vines are 100 years old or older; winemaker François uses an ancient, hand-cranked basket press and ages his wine in older French oak barrels previously used in Burgundy. Serious, sultry, super-charged wine! Grab a case and watch it evolve deliciously over the years.
