People attend the official launch of the 2012 Beaujolais Nouveau wine in the centre of Lyon early November 15, 2012 (photograph by Robert Pratta, Reuters).

The annual Beaujolais Nouveau release occurs on the third Thursday of November. Yesterday. Don’t panic, the Novello have yet to sell out. What began as a Euro tradition side by side with the more serious, Burgundian Paulée now includes the gleaning of Ontario fruitage. Wine rushed from the presses in premature excitement.

To some, the BN represents a window to the current vintage’s future, to others a curiosity show. Then there is the notion that the young wines are a feminine proposition, not unlike Rosé. While not exactly a girl’s best friend, a boyfriend or any other bf for that matter, they do represent a barely fermented rite of passage.

I tasted through 10 BN’s at the LCBO lab yesterday afternoon. France was afflicted with a calamitous 2012 for grape growing so expectations were low for the Nouveau. Conversely, Ontario was blessed with a hot, arid and promising vintage. Italy may have fared best. So which wines reign supreme in 2012?

One sample smelled like a gym locker. Another like sheep waste. One made me imagine candy laced with gasoline. Keep that one away from the children. These three samples nearly made me cry sweet tears of joy. Made me smile.

Photograph by Wayne Cuddington, Ottawa Citizen

Catalans Primeur Syrah Merlot 2012 (220533, $9.95) goes to extreme purple lengths to please. The Merlot shuns green notes and instead adds a balancing, candied quotient. Dry, herbaceous and savoury befitting its Roussillon roots. Fun for $10.  86

Negrar Novello Del Veneto 2012 (899955, $9.95) sports a slight reductive and waxy Rosé-like nose but this I can handle. Citrus and pepper reminiscent of a Syrah/Viognier dichotomy meets pressed apple and grape. Very quaffable Novello.  87

Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Villages Nouveau 2012 (113266, $14.95) is the most serious of the lot, even if it doesn’t have to be. Richer extraction, fruit fortitude and revelatory acidity. I do note a hint of merde but also mineral and elemental satisfaction. Mission accomplished.  88

Good to go!