Domaine Chapel Charbonniéres Fleurie Beaujolais 2021

Contrary to what you may have heard, the Beaujolais region in France produces excellent wines that can age for several years but are typically made to be enjoyed in their youth (while you wait for those Grand Cru Burgundies to age). Many people have enjoyed a version of Beaujolais in the form of Beaujolais Nouveau (a wine released on the third Thursday in November every year in Beaujolais to celebrate that year’s harvest). However, this wine should not, and does not, represent the standard of Beaujolais. Within the larger AOC of Beaujolais there are ten small Crus (or villages) that are all located in the northern part of the region and produce high quality wines in a range of styles. One of these Crus is Fleurie, which is often referred to as “The Queen of Beaujolais” as it tends to produce lighter bodied, highly aromatic wines using the Gamay grape. Domaine Chapel is a Beaujolais estate founded by David and Michele Smith-Chapel in yet another Cru village, Régnié. David and Michele met at the acclaimed Morgon estate, Domaine Lapierre, in 2013 while David was working there, and Michele was visiting while on vacation. Soon after their first encounter, they moved to New York together where Michele became the Wine Director for the three Michelin-starred restaurant, Brooklyn Fare. After moving back to Beaujolais in 2015, they founded Domaine Chapel and produced their first wine in 2016 with friends and winemakers Mathieu and Camille Lapierre (son and daughter of the late Marcel Lapierre). The 2017 vintage marked the first in their new family home and cellars in Régnié-Durette. The Fleurie Charbonnières is an old-vine Gamay that is sourced from 1.2 hectares of steep vineyards that sit among a forest of acacia trees. This land has been farmed organically for over 20 years and the vine age ranges from 35 to over 60 years old. A mix of granitic sand, weathered rock fragments and igneous rock makes up the soil composition. The wine was fermented with 100% whole-clusters and went through full carbonic maceration which helps to contribute a vibrant acidity and lifted aromatics. There are floral notes of violet and rose as well as captivating aromas and flavors of raspberry, licorice, summer strawberry, and fresh herbs. While this wine can certainly be aged for a few years, it is best to drink this now, slightly chilled, with roast chicken or baked salmon. Only 100 cases produced.