Posting tasting notes for Beaujolais Nouveaux is like reviewing Taco Bell’s food on Yelp. If you enjoy this kind of thing, then you’re going to continue to enjoy it–no matter what some critic has to say about it.
Likewise, if you think it’s too cheesy or artificial-tasting or unhealthy, then there’s likely nothing I or anyone else can say to persuade you differently.
Beaujolais Nouveau is a whole mood, man. Some people believe–and I guess they have a point–that good wine doesn’t taste like fruit candy and bubblegum. You either vibe with it, or you don’t.
The Nouveau hate (and curiosity) was palpable in the room when we tore into this bottle of Georges Duboeuf for Beaujolais Day 2025:
“No.”
“I just can’t.”
“Is it that time of year again?”
(Sniffs glass.) “What is wrong with you?”
And, from a couple of brave souls, “Is there any left?”
The first thing you notice about this year’s Nouveau from Georges Duboeuf is how dark it is. A vibrant, grape-soda dark purple–which may have been accentuated by the fact that we stayed up very late to be among the first to taste it.
It’s impossible not to notice the bananas first. State-fair sized buckets of banana taffy–and the even creamier, rounder scent of banana pie filling. Violets, too, which are soft and perfume-y. Freshness comes in the form of a pineapple note, which conspires with all the loopy froot to create a peppy Hawaiian Punch aroma.
Flavor-wise, I find a core of confected dark berries (blackberry and grape jelly) and a surprising amount of structure. It’s positively robust for Beaujolais Nouveau, with medium body and tannins. Once the tropical fruit and florals blow off, you’re left with an intense palate of thick-skinned black plum and cranberry, their gothic moodiness smoothed over by a gentle layer of marshmallow creme.
Is it complex? Not really. Is it sophisticated? Certainly not. But the 2025 Beaujolais vintage is being acclaimed as an especially good one. My long-suffering partner–who agrees to share exactly one bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau with me every year–offered that it was the best version that she’d ever had.
Certainly, Bojo’s silly-ass flavors are not for everyone. But as for me, I mark my calendar for the third Thursday of November and the release of this quirky little Gamay wine. It’s the perfect bottle to kick off the whole holiday drinking season. It’s a blast!
My favorite part of Beaujolais Nouveau isn’t actually the wine (although I’m happy to defend it against wine snobs). It’s the ritual–its seasonality and its ephemerality.
To make an easy comparison, plenty of people look forward to eating turkey at Thanksgiving–even if bland, chewy poultry isn’t anybody’s favorite dish. It’s a backdrop for leisure time and family memories, and a temporal cue to mark the turning of the year.
Love it or despise it, Beaujolais Nouveau will be off the shelves in a month or two. (And I’ve already had my single spousally-permitted bottle, so the rest of the harvest is all for you.) Enjoy (?) it while you can!
Bottle: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau (2025)
Variety: Gamay (100%)
ABV: 12.5%
Suggested retail: $15.99
My rating: 8.5 (out of 10)
Further reading:
The Burgundy Report: 2025 Beaujolais Nouveau – good and consistent – easily the best since 2022!!
The Wine Fairy: Happy Beaujolais Nouveau Day! Here’s eight fun facts to pair with a glass of Beaujolais
Review disclosure: I was not compensated or provided any free products for this review. Opinions expressed on The Wine Fairy blog are entirely my own.
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