Morgon 'Côte du Py' 2023, Jean Foillard

Foillard’s Morgon 'Côte du Py' 2023 is the estate's flagship bottling and universally regarded as one of the most celebrated terroir-driven wines in the entire Beaujolais. Sourced from the appellation's most famous volcanic hill, this cuvée marries juicy fruit intensity, spicy elegance, and impressive mineral depth. It stands as a serious, ageworthy natural wine boasting true Burgundian stature.

In the glass, the wine displays a deep ruby color. The bouquet is rich and multi-layered, showing expressive aromas of ripe raspberry jam, cassis, fresh orange zest, a dusting of white pepper, and subtle floral nuances. On the palate, it is broad, deep, and velvety. Refined tannins integrate seamlessly with vibrant acidity and a saline-mineral backbone, driving a long, complex, and refreshing finish.

Key Highlights

• Terroir: 100% Gamay sourced from old vines on the iconic Côte du Py in Morgon, characterized by blue granite, schist, and decomposed volcanic rock.
• Winemaking & Ageing: Traditional cold whole-cluster semi-carbonic maceration using native yeasts. Gentle pressing followed by patient maturation in neutral oak barrels.
• Sustainability: Crafted under strict natural wine principles: unfined, unfiltered, unchaptalized, and bottled with minimal or zero added sulfites.
• Tasting Profile: Powerful, spicy, and remarkably elegant. Notes of ripe raspberry, orange zest, white pepper, delicate baking spices, and a focused granitic finish.
• Ageing Potential: Highly approachable and generous now, with the structural focus to cellar gracefully over 5 to 12 years, developing profound Burgundian complexity.

Food Pairing

• Meats: Outstanding alongside classic steak tartare, roasted pork neck, prime sirloin, or confit de canard.
• Classics: Excellent match for traditional coq au vin or beef bourguignon.
• Fish & Fusion: Surprisingly delicious with seared tuna steak, grilled octopus, or umami-rich Asian dishes.
• Vegetarian & Cheese: An ideal companion for roasted beetroot preparations, artisanal charcuterie, and aged French cheeses.
• Serving Suggestion: Best served slightly cool between 14°C and 16°C in generous Burgundy crystal glasses.

The Terroir of the Côte du Py

The Côte du Py is an extinct volcanic hill within the Cru of Morgon, famed for its 'roches pourries' (decomposed blue granite, schist, and manganese). This nutrient-poor subsoil forces old Gamay vines to root deeply into the bedrock. It imparts extraordinary concentration, exceptional cellaring potential, and a distinct mineral drive to Jean Foillard’s wines.

About Jean Foillard

Jean Foillard took over his family estate in 1980 and shortly after joined legendary winemakers Marcel Lapierre, Guy Breton, and Jean-Paul Thévenet to form the iconic "Gang of Four". Inspired by natural wine visionary Jules Chauvet, they sparked a quality revolution across the region. By focusing on old vines, living organic soils, and low-intervention cellar work, Foillard consistently produces natural wines of unmatched precision, purity, and cellaring potential.