Alex Foillard, son of Beaujolais legend Jean Foillard, made the first wine under his label at twenty-five years old.
Beaujolais fans immediately took notice.
Now in his third vintage, it's clear that he has an extraordinary ability to coax aromatic complexity and silky texture from the Gamay grape.
This isn't surprising. Alex grew up working with his father in the winery and cellar and continues to do so today. If you know Jean Foillard's wines, it's easy to detect a similar textural appeal and purity in Alex's wines.Â
After graduating from wine school in Beaune, Alex returned to his family's domaine in 2015 and began searching for his own patch of vines. He ended up with a hectare of Côte de Brouilly and half a hectare of Brouilly.
Alex Foillard's Brouilly vines are fifty-years-old. Brouilly is a very different terroir than Morgon and Fleurie, where Jean Foillard works. Brouilly is more structured, spicier, and has a more prominent backbone of granite minerality.
The 2018 Brouilly has an incredibly appealing texture and a Vosne-like spice. You get soaring aromatics accented with loads of nuance and an energetic mineral streak. In the ripe 2018 vintage, the degree of poise and freshness it carries is really impressive.
As you could have guessed by Alex Foillard's small holdings, quantities are limited. At the lowest price in the country, these won't stick around. The 2018 Brouilly is irresistibly delicious and expertly composed. Picking up a 4-pack at special pricing will very likely seem like a good decision.Â
To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Joe Salamone
Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits