In the glass
What it pairs with
-
Lapin sauté aux olives
Medium-weight, textured Gamay matches olive-braised rabbit's savoury depth. -
Terrine de foie gras
Surprisingly rich Beaujolais AOC holds up to a simple foie gras terrine. -
Mimolette vieille
Aged Mimolette's caramel-butter notes echo the wine's old-vine richness.
How to serve Beaujolais L'Ancien
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Lapin sauté aux olives, Terrine de foie gras, Mimolette vieille. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
L'Ancien ('the old one') was Jean-Paul Brun's statement about what Beaujolais AOC could be: old-vine, whole-cluster, no chaptalisation, no sulphur at harvest, fermented cool. The name references both the old vines and the old ways of making Beaujolais.
- 1991 — L'Ancien first released by Jean-Paul Brun as a demonstration of Beaujolais AOC potential
- 2000 — L'Ancien gains international critical attention for its old-vine complexity
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine Terres Dorées (Jean-Paul Brun)
- Grapes
- Gamay
- Classification
- Beaujolais AOC
- Oak
- Old foudres 6 months; whole-cluster, no chaptalisation
- ABV
- 12.5%
- Price
- €14-20 at retail
- Drinking window
- 2-8 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1991
- Organic
- ORGANIC CERTIFIED
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Beaujolais L'Ancien
What does Beaujolais L'Ancien taste like?
Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a medium finish. Jean-Paul Brun's signature Beaujolais AOC uses old-vine, whole-cluster Gamay from the golden limestone soils of Pierres Dorées for a richer, more textured and age-worthy expression than typical Beaujolais.
When should I drink Beaujolais L'Ancien?
Drink 2-8 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Beaujolais L'Ancien?
Lapin sauté aux olives is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Terrine de foie gras and Mimolette vieille. Medium-weight, textured Gamay matches olive-braised rabbit's savoury depth.
Is Beaujolais L'Ancien vegan?
Yes: the producer documents no animal-derived fining agents in production, so the wine is suitable for vegan and vegetarian drinkers.
What grapes are in Beaujolais L'Ancien?
The blend is Gamay. The wine is classified as Beaujolais AOC.