Maison Maenad, Le Néant 2024

Place: Jura (Beaujolais Fruit), France

Grape: Gamay

Vibe: Gold Dust

2024 was a tough year for most producers in the Jura. Whole harvests were literally lost due to the weather. It’s truly a shame to see such hardworking vignerons struck by such cruel circumstances. The only positive is that it forced some to seek out négociant fruit. I’ve now tasted this twice at two salons across the channel and have been blown away by what Katie has managed to achieve. It’s no surprise given her deft hand in the Jura, but these are without a doubt some of the best négociant wines I’ve had, not just from the Jura, but full stop.

This is Gamay on granite from Southern Beaujolais, with two weeks of whole-bunch maceration and one year of élevage. An insanely beautiful wine, despite the circumstances.