This is the 2009 Beaujolais vintage in the Waitrose stores, was £10 now 20% offer to £8. The web site says 2008 is on offer for £7.49.

Please Forget the 50p saving. The ripe 2009 Gamay is infinitely superior at this price level. Believe me. (sorry Waitrose)

This Bouchard P & F is quite nice, they are a reliable and respected producer (do not confuse with the other Bouchard Aine' fils). The fruit is good, the wine is fuller and darker than the '08 and not so drying or furry either. Yes, very accessible fruit and reasonable when cool. Unlike the 2008, the wine may be enjoyed with summer evening finger food or even as an apperatif.

The nose not much cop for a Gamay when 1st pouring, odd that, many more modern wines these days are poor in this regard, however if you open the wine well before serving and pour, the wine becomes lively and quite engaging.
The nose although faint is there after 16 hours if you dont finish the bottle / bottles on your Summer evening or lunch on the lawn. Lovely Fleurie fragrancy - sorry it's rather faint.

** I left half a glass in the kitchen while I went off for 30 minutes, The wine although warmer by then, was nicer, fuller in the mouth, and a little sweeter - lovely actually

This '09 Fleurie is available at this price till 6th July, and I would be surprised if you can pick up a better one for less this week.

If you can - write a post here, and tell us all about it.

Yep, best Bouchard P & F Fleurie since 2005. So if you want some when shopping - get it now. Will not last as well as the 05, so I'd say 'a point next year. Even people who dont take Gamay will give this a nod - there is even a tiny bit of **rhone - further south garrigue there when it hits room temperature for a while

Given the strength (or lack of it in uk shops) of Fleurie competition today

_________________
Duncan

Sorry not been about much. Still busy with house, been to Nerja, Spain for a week and still no internet at home. Glad to see Goose is back. That Co-op Estate Reserve is still going well. Although we found that it is bottled over here.

I callled in Waitrose, They only had 2 09's of this Fleurie, but I couldn't remember which vintage you recommended. I now have one of both 08 and 09 to try. I am not expecting too much though as I don't think these lighter style reds suit my palate. We'll see.

_________________
tribs

Tribs,

I know Nerja quite well, a resort, and a mix of old world Spain and new development on the costa and just past the junction at the start of the road all the way up to Competa, a village quite large now (due to EU grants as were the expansion of Eire villages) and 1100 or so meters above sea level.

There were some interesting potters making by hand on the north side of the costa road on the way to Nerja. Interesting market there as well.

The '09 Fleurie is quite full for a jolly beau, I would very definitely swap the '08 when in the store for an '09.

_________________
Duncan

It was a family holiday (my side) 9 adults, 2 children and 2 infants (babies). We stayed in a lovely old villa off the Frigliana road. Panoramic views all round large garden and pool and 2 seperate annexes to one side and at the bottom of the garden. We had a good time, although my wife found it very tiring. The 2 children are ours.

This is the first time we have been, but the rest of the family have been countless times. My fathers' aunt and cousin live there.

We really enjoyed the old part of town and the Balcon d'Europe is quite spectacular.

Will remember to bring the 08 next time I go to the store. Thanks

_________________
tribs

From what I have read, the '09 is an above average vintage for the region. The '08 suffered from the poor weather the whole of Nth Europe experienced, too much rain.

_________________
Yep, Im still here.