Brouilly La Croix des Rameaux Jean-Claude Lapalu 2009

Lot presentation

Brouilly La Croix des Rameaux Jean-Claude Lapalu 2009

The wine

From a sloped parcel of sand and granite soil exposed to the south-west, this cuvée is made using vines that are around 70 years old. The manual harvest is destemmed then macerated for 20 to 25 days. Maturation lasts 9-10 months and takes place in 10-year-old barrels. A small dose of sulphur is added during the bottling process. This cuvée stands out for its balance of fruit and structure, and has an ageing potential of over 10 years. It will pair nicely with white or red meat, as well as several different kinds of cheese.

From a family of wine makers, Jean-Claude Lapalu settled at the family domain in Beaujolais in 1982. After a few years of sending his grapes to the cooperative, he started making his own wines in 1996. He gradually found his own path and discovered his own style, developing natural vinifications with little intervention. The work in the vineyard has become much more eco-friendly and more respectful of the terroir. The 12-hectare vineyard is certified organic, the soil is ploughed, and the rows are covered with grass. Jean-Claude Lapalu has a superb viticultural heritage, including many mature vines, some of which are over 100 years old. A top Beaujolais domain!