Madone's Beaujolais-Villages is packed with luscious, juicy red fruits and is drinking at its peak right now.

Grown on the steep hill below the La Madone crucifix in the village of Le Perreon, the aspect and altitude of Domaine de la Madone have more in common with nearby prestigious Beaujolais Crus than many of the neighbouring Beaujolais-Villages estates.

Winemaker, Olivier Bererd, shuns the traditional maceration carbonique process associated with much of Beaujolais production – preferring techniques similar to those employed by Burgundian winemakers – to produce a more complex, serious style of Beaujolais.

Ripe, fleshy fruits – cherry, plum, strawberries and raspberries, and hints of smoke and kirsch – possibly even rhubarb on the nose. Lovely soft red fruits in the mouth, with some smokiness, good persistence and bright cherry skin acidity keeping it fresh.