“Cuvée Spaciale”—a ‘spatial’ wine with a wine-drinking astronaut on the label? I’ll admit that I was skeptical at first, but one taste changed my tune, and fast.
For starters, it comes from one my favorite cru villages, Fleurie, and is sourced from ancient vines situated on some of Beaujolais’ highest elevations. The producer, Château de Grand Pré, also practices biodynamic farming, yields are half of Grand Cru Burgundy (especially important in a region that has some of the world's highest vine densities), and fermentation occurs in a spherical concrete vessel known as ‘Sputnik.’ In short order, it has rocketed to the top of my Beaujolais list. It has an astoundingly fresh core that pulses with energy—the interplay of pure fruit and wild herb is absolutely gorgeous. The bright and lifted “juiciness” of Fleurie is fully present, but the wine takes on a fuller body, flaunting levels of concentration and structure often found in the top examples of Morgon. This is not a wine (or label) that will be slipping from your mind anytime soon; it’s incredibly serious Beaujolais at an unmatchable price, a wine of which you’ll never tire. The few countries they do export to (we’re the only one outside of Europe) only receive small quantities, so stock up while you can!