Jean-Claude Lapalu Brouilly Vielles Vignes 2022

Country: France

Region: Beaujolais

Type: Red Wine

Grape: Gamay

After years of selling the family’s grapes to the local co-op, in 1995 Jean-Claude Lapalu decided to try making his own wine. His 9 hectares of east & southeast-facing vines are scattered from Mont Brouilly to his home village of Saint-Etienne-la-Varenne. In the early days, he was very influenced by his southern neighbors in Provence and remembers drinking the natural wine leader, Henri Milan’s “Clos Milan” ‘96. This pushed him to question his winemaking decisions and work in the vineyards. He soon abandoned all conventional farming techniques and moved toward organic and biodynamic farming.

Today all of his old-vine vineyards, ranging from 70-100 years old, are farmed biodynamically. There is little-to-no sulfur used in his winemaking. His wines radiate a purity, elegance that pulses with bright cherry fruit flavors & depth.

This wine is a more delicate and nuanced counterpart to its Cote de Brouilly neighbor. Dark ruby color, with aromas of black and blue fruits with hints of dark chocolate and candied orange peel. Complex and bitter-sweet in the mouth, with a lingering and slightly spicy finish.