This stuff is seriously good. If more people would taste these 2005 cru Beaujolais, it just might help pull the region out of its tumble into the pit of irrelevance. Everyone comments so much on the exceedingly fine wine in the world (myself included), that we forget to remark on the fineness—indeed greatness—of gorgeous everyday wines. The producer of this wine Nicolas Potel makes some of the finest Burgundies in the world, but also makes time for his label Potel-Aviron, which puts out some delicious Beaujolais. In 2005, the gamay grapes got perfectly ripe and developed thick skins giving the wines a rich plummy depth and a chewy, sweet tannic texture—absolutely fantastic with thousands of dishes from a pan-fried bavette to a beet salad to roast duck. I can’t recommend this wine more highly.

I’m not seeing exactly where to buy this exact wine via any of our local shops’ websites. But K&L as usual has a good selection of other 2005 Beaujolais, all priced between $10 and $15.