Unsurprisingly, since Domaine Mont Bessay is making wine that puts Juliénas on a different level, their Saint-Amour is also unique and an outstanding example from that Beaujolais cru, which is often sought after more for the name than for the wine. The vines here in Saint Amour are separated from those in Juliénas by a tiny dirt road that runs down the ridgeline. On one slide lies Juliénas, where the name of the hill is Mont Bessay, while on the other side lies Saint-Amour where the name is Côte de Besset. Go figure! Guillaume Marko, winemaker at Domaine Mont Bessay, explains that much wine from Saint-Amour lacks character because many of the vineyards lie on the valley floor where there’s more clay. He believes the distinctiveness of theirs come from their locale on the slope, where there’s more sandstone and granite. The beguiling fragrance of their 2024 Saint-Amour immediately draws you in, while the paradoxical delicacy and depth keep your interest in the bright and lively gem. Drink now or chill it slightly and pull the cork this summer.
93 Michael Apstein – May 20, 2026