Alex Foillard

Beaujolais, France 

When Gamay runs in your blood: meet Alex Foillard 
Son of “Gang of Four” Morgon producer Jean Foillard, Alex is part of the talented youngsters of Beaujolais. Being exposed since young age to the world of wine, sustainable farming and low-intervention winemaking thanks to his father, Alex took an early interest in the vineyards, got a degree in viticulture and oenology and sought to earn further experience in Australia and Japan. Once back to the land of Gamay with the aim of crafting his own cru Beaujolais, in 2015 young Alex purchased his very own vineyards. 2016 marks his first vintage. 
With roughly a hectare each in the crus of Brouilly and Côte-de-Brouilly, Alex makes his wines with the lowest intervention possible (whole-cluster fermentation with natural yeasts, no fining, no filtration, no additives, just a touch of sulphur at bottling) while imprinting the distinctive Foillard style, coaxing complex aromas with silky textures. 
General rule would be that Brouilly is the Côte de Brouilly’s slightly softer, more sensuous sibling. And here you have the exception. Deep and powerful as the best examples from the Côte, Brouilly 2018 has an incredibly appealing texture. Flint, and mineral on the nose. A pastry-like palate, with blueberries, and red cherries. Hints of violet, and charcoal. Velvety tannins with a long lingering finish of black fruits.