2022 L’Arlésienne “Aux Gauthiers” Beaujolais-Villages, France

The 2022 L’Arlésienne “Aux Gauthiers” Beaujolais-Villages is crafted by Benoît Moreau, a celebrated Burgundian winemaker who, after splitting from Domaine Bernard Moreau, established his own label. His winery, located in Chassagne-Montrachet, extends to 1.7 hectares in Beaujolais, including a rare parcel in Villié-Morgon. Here, at 520 meters altitude, 70- to 100-year-old Gamay vines thrive on sandy granite soils. Moreau’s biodynamic practices and minimal-intervention style, whole-cluster fermentation with native yeasts and stainless steel aging, yield pure, expressive wines.   Beaujolais-Villages, spanning 38 communes in northern Beaujolais, sits between the basic Beaujolais AOC and the ten crus, producing fruit-driven yet structured reds. The 2022 “Aux Gauthiers” offers a silky texture, with blue fruit, lavender, and spice notes, balanced by bright acidity and a comforting depth that belies its “Villages” status. It’s a standout from a warm vintage, showing both elegance and drinkability. Grape           Gamay Country        France                               Region          Beaujolais                          Vintage         2022