From: Beaujolais, France

Varietal: 100% Gamay

Christophe Lapierre farms 10.7 hectares split between plots in Chénas and Moulin-à-Vent using very traditional winemaking practices. Christophe might not come across with the “flashiness” of some of his other young peers in the region, but he makes up for that in spades in what are some of the most charming and authentic Beaujolais wines that you’ll drink.

Each year we purchase as much wine as Christophe has to offer (which usually is very little), and if you see these available, drop what you are doing and pick them up.

Tasting Notes: Produced by traditional Beaujolais winemaking practices, the Moulin-a-Vent is dark purple in color with a warm, inviting nose of crushed blackcurrant. In the mouth the wine displays ample concentration and density of flavor; think black fruits and the spices. Simply put, this youthful Beaujolais is amazing.

Elaboration: The grapes are hand-picked at peak ripeness. 20% of the harvest is de-stemmed. The wine is vinified for 11 days at a controlled temperature (77-86°F), to give more structure and complexity. Maturing between 5 and 10 months in oak casks.