Away from the focus of Burgundy EP 2019, another nearby wine region dominated by a single grape variety has been drawing critical acclaim, Beaujolais. With producers like Lapierre, Jean Foillard and Yvon Métras, the appellation has been throwing off its Beaujolais nouveau reputation and has started creating seriously high-quality and age-worthy Gamay.

Now gracing those names at the top, and having recently been thrown into the limelight, the stunning single-vineyard Château du Moulin-à-Vent La Rochelle 2016 has been awarded as one of Decanter's Wines of the Year 2020. Scoring 94 points from Wine Enthusiast, double 93 points from Vinous and Decanter and 17/20 from Jancis Robinson, it 'delivers asuave blend of power and finesse' with 'no rough edges' (VN).

Flooding the palate with notes of 'sweet boysenberry, candied plum and violet pastille flavors that are underscored by a vein of juicy acidity' (VN), this is amongst the finest and most precise expressions of the Moulin-à-Vent terroir. An estate with 'a very classic Burgundian approach' (VN) in the vineyard and winery, it also seems to follow Burgundy in terms of production, with the equivalent of only 750 cases of six made in 2016.

This comes from the La Rochelle lieu-dit, which sits at the top of a hill at 280 metres above sea level, benefitting from cool winds. Coupled with the south-west exposure, the vines produces small berries with beautiful concentration and finesse that have serious ageing potential.

Offered today at only £150 per case IB, it is Beaujolais once again highlighting its value for money with one of the appellation's top bottlings costing only £25 per bottle IB - this is Gamay at its finest.