Beaujolais Villages "Le Chapital"

2009: A deep ruby color, nose of candied black fruits (blackberries, blackcurrants), mineral notes, mouth-filling with supple tannins, persistent fruity attack and a long mineral finish. A harmonious wine with ageing potential of 15 years. This vintage will be hard to beat.

2011: It is very easy to get quite snobbish with wine and to give all the attention to the best that you can find. Whilst there is some logic to this, it does mean that you can miss out on some delightful wines that do not meet the top-quality criterion. This is a lovely, fruity wine with plenty of body. Well worth the effort of pulling the cork!

2013: Given that 2009 was the exceptional year for Beaujolais and far from typical, it is really nice to taste a very good typical Beaujolais Villages from a different year. The nose is gorgeous and similar to the 2009 but lighter. In the mouth it is the same. Still lovely but lighter and more of the expected consistency of Beaujolais.

Beaujolais is a good case in point. The whole region has its wines classed in just a way to make the best so exalted that the lesser wines are sometimes brushed aside.

I love all the wines from Beaujolais and it is always a pleasure to taste those that are from the lower end of the quality spectrum, especially because they are still very good wines.

“Le Chapital” is an excellent Beaujolais-Villages. It is clear, clean and beautiful to look at. The nose is full of spicy red cherries and those aromas are found in the taste also, with the cherry flavours being heightened on the palate. It has a nice, fresh and fruity finish. This is a lovely food-friendly wine and deserves to be enjoyed and not overlooked.

Flo says of the 2013 (September 2018): In my opinion, this wine could go toe to toe with some of the Beaujolais crus. The nose is delightful with notes of spun sugar and rosewood. On the palate, this is a delightfully fruity Gamay with a well-rounded body. Would highly recommend!

Flo says of the 2009 (September 2018): Tasted next to the 2013 boy can you see the difference in the weather between years. The 2009 is just outstanding with notes of blackcurrant stems and a delightful almost sweet red fruit. 2009 was a magnificent year and it still shines.

Flo says of the 2011 (October 2018): This wine is just delightful, although there are some indications of age this is just so vibrant and fresh. A pleasurable Beaujolais with notes of candied red fruits, supple tannins and a mineral finish. This wine fills the palette with punchy yet refined blackberry, a beautiful wine.