THE DISCOVER CLUB - November 2021
This month, Just A Taste brought in an impressive allocation of one of our favorite producers from Beaujolais. For November, we hope you enjoy discovering M&C Lapierre Morgon 2020.
mathieu & camille lapierre MORGON 2020
Region: Morgon, Beaujolais, FRA
Grape Varietal: 100% gamay
Viticulture: granitic gravel; 60"+ year old vines; farmed organically
Method: whole cluster fermentation; aged in neutral burgundy casks; minimal SO2
Serving Suggestion: Serve at 65-68F
Age: Drink 2021-2031 (if stored well)
Nose: jammy raspberry, violet, spice
Tasting Notes: mouthwatering fruit with juicy tannins and lingering acidity
ABOUT Marcel Lapierre
Marcel Lapierre inherited his father’s estate in pastoral Beaujolais in 1973, but in 1981 he befriended a famed viticulturist and chemist, Jules Chauvet. Marcel was quickly indoctrinated into Chauvet’s philosophies on a return to the “natural” farming and winemaking methods of Beaujolais, and with Jean-Paul Thevenet, Jean Foillard, and Guy Breton, began the initial Natural wine movement. Sadly, Marcel passed away in 2010. His children, Mathieu and Camille, run the estate.
The house style is described as “juicy.” They harvest the grapes as late as possible to have the most ripe fruit at “crush,” which is an inaccurate term. The wines are vinified without any destemming at low temperatures for 10 - 20 days, then aged on the fine lees in neutral burgundy barrels (3rd to 13th passage).
why i am excited about this wine
While “natural wines” are an important category to discuss, there are many terrible examples in the market. Lapierre, along with the “gang of four,” didn’t move towards “natural” winemaking to be hip; rather, they were seeking for a return to traditional farming and enology. As such, they still strive to produce exceptional wines without flaws. If you’re looking for a fantastic wine that is “low sulfites” or “organic” or any of the other buzzwords that “hip natty” wines are trying to attract, it’s best to begin with the founders of the movement. Additionally, Gamay works amazingly at the table for Thanksgiving. My friends and family always go through several bottles throughout the next months.
“Our ideal is to make wine from 100% grape juice.”