This continues to be an outlier Gamay as the alcohol is almost always north of 14%, but somehow JL Groulx makes it work – this 2017 version is 14.8%, but the acid helps to balance it, so it barely registers on the heat scale. JL says it’s because he picks solely “on ripeness” then ages it 9 months in French (no new) oak, and with 3 weeks of maceration – it gives the wine that almost seemingly un-naturally dark colour for Gamay … but again, it all works: raspberry, cassis and a really good spice factor linger on the finish. Price: $29.00 – Rating: ****+