2023 Domaine Les Gryphées, Beaujolais “Cuvée Les Balmes”

Beaujolais is a magnet for elite winemaking talent, a treasure trove of heirloom vineyards, and one of the world’s epicenters for red-wine value, but when “Cuvée Les Balmes” is the center of discussion, it becomes the incomparable, Black Friday-equivalent deal of the year. In fact, for two consecutive vintages, this cuvée has occupied the highest throne of value Burgundy. It’s no fluke, either: This certifiable classic Gamay hails from low-yielding, 100-year-old vines that are harvested by hand before spontaneous fermentation, maturation in old French barrels, and bottling without fining/filtration. If Domaine Les Gryphées’ chart-busting Burgundy value doesn’t already have you lurching towards checkout, I’m at a loss for words because their specialty (aside from delivering mouthwatering, gorgeously pure reds) is rediscovering sites with old raw material and restoring them to their former glory. If your lifeblood is classic French wine that provides an unmistakable sense of place and ty