October 2024: Club Reds

1. Berne Chiroubles 2022
Berne’s 2022 Chiroubles is seriously good gamay. It’s concentrated and sturdily built – it would age several years with ease – but carefully balanced with acidity and lush fruit. The appellation’s signature deep rose petal nose is there, joined by a burst of wild cherry and a zip of stony minerals.
Details: punchy, delicious, floral, serious Gamay from Beaujolais
Drink: now – 2026
Pairing: coq au vin
Available: $32/bot ($23.2 w/ followup coupon)

2. Joncuas Gigondas 2020
The Clos du Joncuas Gigondas 2020 is an easy, early-drinking vintage. It is silky smooth and rich, with dense, sweet fruit and notes of allspice. Though velvety, there is good underlying structure and a bit of earthiness in the finish. A dose of salinity balances the lush fruit, making this a delightful young wine.
Details: rich, organic old-school southern Rhône blend
Drink: now – 2027
Pairing: duck breast cherry sauce
Available: $42/bot ($33.60 w/ followup coupon)

3. Montlisse St-Emilion Grand Cru 2019
From a magnificent vintage, the 2019 Château Montlisse is smooth and elegant, with mellow fruit and gorgeous earthy notes, and a solid core of structure and concentration. Look for notes of plums and toast with cassis, dark chocolate and dried violets. Neal Martin in Vinous cited “fine grained tannins and well judged acidity.”
Details: smooth right bank Merlot-based Bordeaux from a top vintage
Drink: now (decanter) – 2028
Pairing: braised short ribs
Available: $42/bot ($33.6 w/ followup coupon)