Michel Guignier

Beaujolais, France

Words by our friend Joshua Eubank, US Guignier importer:

Michel Guignier is, in my view, one of the most important Beaujolais winemakers of the post-Chauvet generation. A died-in-the-wool farmer, he never wanted to belong to the gang of 4 or the gang of 5 or whatever gang hoped to win the attention of American financiers. Over the years, rather than expanding into the lucrative world of négoce, Michel has instead shrunk his holdings, raised a herd of Charolais cows that fertilize his vines, and retreated to the comparatively cool East-facing slope of Vauxrenard, just outside of Fleurie. Aside from a couple parcels in Moulion-à-Vent that he once shared with the late Julie Balagny, this is where most of his wine continues to be made. Now in his 70s, Michel threatens that each harvest will be his last, but here we are yet again with another crop of beautiful wines. Radical as ever in his commitment to "pur jus", a phrase that he considers more accurate than "natural wine," Michel believes that some of his wines need a good rest in the cellar before drinking. We've tried our best to honor his wish and present the following wines for your pleasure:

Bistere 2019
Gamay VV
$36

One of Michel's elevage-intensive cuvées. A sentimental wine for him that was fittingly named after his plough-horse. From the lovely and somewhat under-appreciated year of 2019 - colder and rainier - it drinks on the lighter side, recalling the Beaujolais of decades past.

Mystere de Rosée 2023
Gamay
$29

Michel's "mysterious" rosé is the direct-press counterpart of Bonne Pioche. You could call it a cult-classic in the pitifully small world of pure juice rosés!

Oh...! 2023
Gamay
$29

It's important to master the pronunciation of this cuvée, which should be uttered as one long, drawn out syllable, emphasizing the feeling of epiphany when consuming it. This is the only "primeur" that Michel makes. Fermented and briefly aged in tank, for immediate enjoyment.

La Bonne Pioche 2022
Gamay
$29

A juicy, fruit-forward expression of gamay from the home vines at Vauxrenard, right in front of the house.