I'm a complete sucker for Fleurie, and Chapelle des Bois' 2019 Grand Pre is one of the greatest values of its type this palate has ever tasted.
This is a wine that reminds me of a hypothetical Clos de la Roilette meets Domaine Diochon, as it possesses great concentration, depth of flavor, and cellar potential. Trust me, this ain't Beaujolais Nouveau folks. It is much more formidable wine!
2019 Chapelle des Bois Fleurie 'Grand Pre'
Full, deep, rich and complex Cru Beaujolais at one of the best prices in the country. 94 points - Josh Spurling
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As Cru Beaujolais prices continue to rise due to increased demand, I believe I've found a serious diamond in the rough. The famed Grand Pre vineyard is one of the top sites in Fleurie, and most wines that carry this designation cost $40 to $50. The granite-heavy soils of this site yield bold and sturdy wines with darker fruit, complex minerality, and plenty of structure.
That is certainly the case here, and while this wine will provide immediate gratification, I highly recommend you buy a few extra bottles to stash away. I suspect this wine will find its peak form in 2027 and continue to drink well through 2030. To some of you, this might sound crazy, as many folks think all Beaujolais' are light and fruity wines, but "those in the know" very much know that not all Beaujolais' are created equally.
Produced from 50 to 60 year old vines which are farmed organically, Chapelle des Bois' flagship cuvee is in incredibly fine form in the high quality 2019 vintage. When I tasted this last week with my staff, we were all deeply impressed with the color, the bouquet, and the palate of this fuller bodied Gamay. Heady aromas of spicy cherry, dark raspberry, black plum, and violet waft out of the glass, and the palate is equally impressive. Ripe, fleshy, and layered, the flavors are varied and intense, and there's an overall sense of balance and harmony here.
This is another wine that reminds me of why I buy so much wine from importer Neal Rosenthal. Every wine that man helps bring to wine lovers in the US is full of substance and integrity, two traits I'm constantly looking for in TW selections. I can't wait to enjoy bottles of this wine with lamb chops, grilled sausages, and charcuterie platters.
I bought my distributor out of this one, and that only added up to 84 bottles, and that will be it for the vintage. Whether you're already a diehard Cru Beaujolais fan or want to experience one in top form. I can't recommend this wine enough. Cheers and keep drinking the good stuff!
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Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville