Georges Duboeuf Chateau des Capitans Julienas 2023

Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 Best in Show 97pts

“This darkly alluring Beaujolais is the fifth from among the region’s ten crus that we’ve welcomed to our Best In Show selection – and the first Juliénas; we’ve formerly applauded two Morgons, a Moulin-à-Vent and a Fleurie. It’s almost an opaque purple-red in colour, brimming with the perfumed ripeness which the magnificent 2023 vintage promised in this vintage. Among the notes our judges found on the nose were blackberry, blueberry and lavender, while the palate is fruit-saturated too (damsons and cherries join the party), with soft tannins, harmoniously juicy acidity and some ripely bitter notes on the finish to bring cleansing refreshment. Juliénas is considered one of the more muscular and powerful of the crus, and this wine lives up to that reputation – though without ever toppling over into crassness or excess.”