Jean Claude Lapalu

When you know what being a “vigneron-artisan”- a winemaker and craftsman- means, then you probably understand that one may want to refer to the man’s wines as racy, unique or complex. This is precisely the case for Jean-Claude Lapalu and his Beaujolais wines. He manages a 12-hectare vineyard planted on granitic soil at the foot of Mont Brouilly. He was soon highly influenced by father of the French natural wine movement and wine expert Jules Chauvet. The 8 parcels of Gamay whose vines can be up to 70 years of age give naturally low yields and have a particular character according to soils end exposure to sun. He goes even further along this line by discarding up to 30% of the grapes after drastic sorting. 

The juices are not filtered. They’re tasty, juicy with a lingering finish. Carbonic maceration or semi-carbonic maceration brings freshness and fruit to the various cuvees which are all fermented in stainless steel tanks. The maturing time depends on the cuvees and imparts subtle notes to these unconventional, powerful and refined wines. Jean-Claude Lapalu offers a range of 6 stunning wines in particular “Des Fous”, “Croix des Rameaux” or why not wait for his famous Beaujolais Nouveau.