Alex Foillard, son of Beaujolais legend Jean Foillard, made the first wine under his label last year at twenty-five years old.

Beaujolais fans immediately took notice.

Alex grew up working with his father in the winery and cellar and continues to do so today. His wines boast a similar textural perfection and purity to his father's

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. At 24 years old, he ended up with around a hectare of Côte de Brouilly and Brouilly.

Alex Foillard follows similar methods as his father and other members of the legendary "gang of four" (carbonic maceration, minimal sulphur and only at bottling, etc.). Even at this early point, he seems masterful at the process.

The 2017 vintage was less extreme than 2015 and 2009, but the vintage is a relatively ripe one. Thinking of it as a cross between 2014 and 2015 is helpful. It's layered, penetrating and the best examples (like Alex Foillard) are nicely agile.

Alex Foillard's Bouilly vines are fifty years old. Bouilly is a very different terroir than Morgon and Fleurie. Bouilly is more structured, spicier, and has a more prominent backbone of granite minerality.

The 2017 Bouilly has soaring aromatics accented with a dark minerality and a Vosne-like spice. You get an amazing textural intrigue with an energetic mineral streak and loads of nuance.

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.

To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.

Joe Salamone

Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits