We do our part to bring you cerebral, cellar-worthy and impactful Burgundy. The intricacies of its vineyards endlessly fascinates us and if you've set foot in the shop, you know it's a subject we often wax poetic about. What's often overlooked is Burgundy's playful, highly-enjoyable, and cheerful side. It's an energy that the Chapuis brothers manage to capture in bottle.
Relatively new to the Portland market and certainly new to us, we recently sampled these Chapuis Frèrers bottles and they immediately felt like the perfect coda to this summer. Our 2 pack feels like a deconstructed Passetoutgrains. If you're unfamiliar, Passetoutgrains is a wine (typically red) that calls for a blend of primarily Pinot Noir and Gamay. These are often fruity, light and meant to be consummed young. While each of the wines in our 2 pack are ageworthy, the fruit is so intoxicating right now that it leaves little room for cellaring curiosity.
2021 Chapuis Frères Chorey-les-Beaune
Impressions: What Chorey-le-Beaune lacks in complexity to neighboring Savigny-les-Beaune, it makes up for with its charmful fruit. Aromas of ripe red cherries, raspberry coulis, rose petal and cinnamon jump out of the glass. The palate is lean with a silky, soft profile that gently glides past a velvet-like tannic touch. The finish is fruity, floral with hints of earthiness and baking spices. Best enjoyed with a slight chill.
2022 Chapuis Frères Coteaux Bourgignons
Impressions: Taking advantage of generic appellation rules, this Coteaux Bourgignons is actually 100% Gamay primarily sourced from the sandy, granitic, cru Beaujolais region of Julienas. Notes of marionberries, black cherries, violets, graphite, and iron evolve from the glass. The palate is juicy with a thriving acidity that easily sways its mineral-forward profile towards a chalky tannic bite. Its sappy and peppery finish make for endless pairing possibilites. Also, best served with a slight chill.
About The Producer:
The Chapuis brothers grew up among the vines of Aloxe-Corton in Burgundy, and decided to finally start their own winery in 2008. They initially began working out of a small cellar in Pommard before building their own a year later in the commune of Ladoix-Serrigny in the Côte de Beaune. Romain, a trained oenologist, has remained a passionate student of wine growing well after finishing his studies; he has worked at domaines throughout France (Alsace, Bordeaux,Beaujolais), as well as in Lebanon and New Zealand.After his return to Burgundy, Romain notably worked as Philippe Pacalet’s top cellar master. They currently farm approximately 4ha of land, which are spread out in various parcels among Chorey-lès-Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune, Aloxe Corton Premier Cru, Corton Grand Cru, and Corton Charlemagne. In addition to their holdings, Romaine and Jean-Guillaume also source fruit from like-minded growers. They are in their fifth year of organic conversion. All grapes are picked by hand, only native yeasts are used in the cellar, and minimal sulfur is used.