2021 Domaine Lafarge-Vial 'Clos Vernay' Fleurie, BEAUJOLAIS, FRANCE. 750ml
93 points John Gilman
Like the Chiroubles in the Lafarge-Vial lineup in 2021, the Clos Vernay is also very red fruity in profile this year. The wine’s complex aromatic constellation offers up scents of cherries, cranberries, blood orange, gamebird, stony soil tones, a touch of white pepper, fresh thyme and a topnote of distant bonfire. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and nicely structured for a young Fleurie, with excellent sappy depth at the core, suave tannins, excellent soil undertow and a long, tangy and modestly tannic finish. This will demand a few years in the cellar to blossom, but will be excellent once it is ready to drink. (5/2023)