David Chapel Chiroubles

Wine Info

Region: Chiroubles + Fleurie, Beaujolais, France

Grapes: Gamay Noir 100%

ABV: 12%

Winemaker: David & Michelle Chapel

Viticulture: Organic

Winemaking: Fermentation in neutral open vats, aging in large old barrels

“Cristalline”

David and Michelle Chapel met while working harvest in France. David is French and Michelle is American, and now they live in France on their own estate in Beaujolais. Her background was working as a sommelier in restaurants, and his background was winemaking. They made the bold and adventurous decision to buy a vineyard together and start making wine. And damn are we glad they did.

These days, Beaujolais is a common landing spot for aspiring winemakers who in more affordable times might have ended up further north in Burgundy. But with some of the world’s most expensive vineyard land, it’s almost impossible to start. A lot of the young winemaking talent has ended up in Beaujolais, which is why the wines of Beaujolais have never been better or more sought after.

Michelle and David’s wines are unreal. Nelson and I had the opportunity to taste there a couple years ago, and in fact we tasted the wine you’re about to enjoy out of barrel when it was still resting on its lees. I already liked these wines, but it’s those little moments that convince you of the talent of a winemaker. It’s not just winemaking talent, either. It takes great vineyards to make great wine, and all the old bush vines on the hillsides of Beaujolais are capable of producing incredible juice. There’s very little of their single cru vineyard wines made, so these are rarities to be sure.

This Chapel Beaujolais is from one of two vineyards. You’ll receive either the Chapel Fleurie or the Chapel Chiroubles. Both of these wines are made from 100% Gamay grown in Beaujolais vineyards, from one of the best two hilltop villages in the region. Cru Beaujolais is entirely different than something like Beaujolais Nouveau, that candy-like wine released in mass quantities around mid November. These are wines driven more by vineyard and less by process.

Viticulture and winemaking at the Chapel house is very clean. Their three steep hectares of vineyards in Fleurie and Chiroubles are worked organically, fermented with partial carbonic whole-cluster, and aged entirely in neutral vessels, including large old oak barrels.

These wines aren’t entirely alike, but being from nearby villages and the same grape, their tasting notes are pretty similar. Fresh, juicy cherry fruit and strawberry blossom notes give way to notes of fresh herbs and licorice. There’s a subtext of earth–wet forest leaves and crushed rock, which really show up texturally on the palate.

This wine is perfect for any fall fare, and especially any chicken. We paired this with Melissa’s adobo, but we love this with Zuni chicken, or Thomas Keller’s roast chicken with root vegetables, too. Or if you’re real patient you can save it for Thanksgiving.