Jean-Marc Burgaud, Beaujolais Villages (Burgundy, France) 2021

 Normally, wines from the Beaujolais-Villages appellation are a blend of wine from several different villages and do not carry the name of an individual village on the label.  However, French regulations allow producers to indicate the village, Lantignié in this case, on the label if all the grapes came from it.  Judging from this wine and several others I have had from Lantignié, that village deserves to be promoted to cru status and stand beside Juliénas or Brouilly.  Add the origin of the grapes to the talent of Jean-Marc Burgaud and it’s no surprise that this wine punches far above its weight class.  This zesty red balances juicy red fruit flavors with plenty of herbal and spicy ones, so it doesn’t come across as sweet or sappy.  This uplifting wine has amazing complexity.  Mild tannins allow it to take a chill nicely without becoming astringent, making it a delightful substitute for rosé this summer.  Buy it by the case for summertime drinking.  I am.