Lapalu Beaujolais Villages VV 2020

100% Gamay. Jean-Claude Lapalu is among the most respected and revered growers in Beaujolais, a darling of the Paris wine scene, and a leader in the so-called Natural Wine movement in France. He was a bit of a late-comer, assuming his unique place in the Beaujolais nexus between the generation of his peers (Breton, Dutraive, Foillard, Métras, Thevenet) and the young generation today. He farms the same vines that were once farmed by his father and grandfather. Lapalu’s nine hectares of largely east and southeast-facing vines are scattered from Mont Brouilly down through the rolling hills to his home village of Saint-Etienne-la-Varenne, the "gateway to the Crus”. Brouilly is the southernmost Cru and is thought to be more influenced by the Mediterranean warmth than its northern neighbors. As of the 2010 vintage, the domaine is certified organic through Ecocert and biodynamic methods have also been incorporated. Lapalu is gifted in old vines, many of which are between an average of 50 and 100+ years of age. The Beaujolais Villages VV from Lapalu is a top-tier old vine Beaujolais-Villages from a densely planted, early ripening sector. This super value is supple, succulent, and very pretty. The vines are 45 years old grown in sandy topsoil and granite subsoil. The juice goes through carbonic maceration/fermentation with wild yeasts and then aged 5-6 months in tank with no fining, filtration, and very little sulfur added at bottling. Lapalu is playing an important role in the Beaujolais Renaissance by both honoring traditions and pushing the envelope. We are thrilled to be along for the ride!