I’ve had the chance to be one of the first to try a brand-new wine from acclaimed Burgundian winemaker Laurent Delaunay. Known for multi-award-winning expertise and as a fifth-generation winemaker, Delaunay has just released a Beaujolais under the new Les Grappillages range. It’s a wine that brings together traditional regional winemaking with a distinctly modern edge. Adding to the charm is the label, adorned with a delicate French Toile de Jouy print, echoing a touch of haute couture.
This 2023 vintage sits at 13% ABV and has been carefully vinified in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks to retain freshness and fruit purity. It’s then aged in wooden vats, which gives it a subtle structure and depth.
The aroma is beautifully floral, think roses and violets, and the wine itself, while light in body, is full of flavour. On the palate, there are notes of blackberry, hints of fig, and a suggestion of spice. The mouthfeel is full, with a medium tannin structure that offers more grip and presence than you might expect from a lighter red. This makes it well-suited to food, ideal alongside barbecued meats, lamb, or hearty mushroom dishes.
Interestingly, this wine evolves after opening. On the first day, those tannins offer a bit of structure that complements food well. But leave it until the next day, and they mellow out noticeably. The finish becomes less dry, and the aromas develop, leaning more into even greater floral tones with a hint of chocolate. It’s worth drinking with food on the first day, then enjoying the rest on its own the next.
It’s currently available for £12.00 at Morrisons.
