Daniel Bouland Chiroubles Chatenay 2022
Daniel Bouland is one of the modern rockstars of Beaujolais - his wines have a feverish cult following in France, so much so that allocations bound for Australia get tighter each year.
One of Beaujolais’ more reclusive growers, Daniel Bouland makes some of the most old-school and expressive wines in the whole of the region. Hand harvested from old Gamay vines in the Morgon lieux-dits of Corcelette, Bellevue and Pré Jourdan, Bouland’s wines are defiantly deep, dark, country-style reds with plenty of grip and overflowing with personality. These are wines that are built for the long haul, unlike so many of the wines produced in this region. Daniel himself recommends five years in bottle for the terroir to show the wine’s true sense of clarity and mineral nuance. From the best vintages, 15 years will not weary the Morgon cuvées. This is not to say they are not approachable as youngsters.
His wines are staunchly traditional, fermented with 100% whole bunches and then aged in predominantly large, neutral oak. His Morgons are his most sought-after cuveés. They come from vines around 60 years on on the sandy soils, as opposed to the schist-dominant portions of the famous slope. This is a pure, delicious example of one of the region's great crus.
Perched between Morgon and Fleurie at around 400 metres above sea level, the vineyards of Chiroubles are the highest in Beaujolais. The vines sit on the upper slopes and in general, produce a Beaujolais that can be, to quote Gerald Asher, all “…lacy texture and sleek charm.” Bouland’s Chiroubles has a bit more stuffing than that. It comes from a 0.65-hectare parcel of 35- to 45-year-old vines on the steep, ridged incline of Chatenay, which has the typical granite and sandstone soils of the Cru. Protected by a nearby forest, it’s a warm, north-facing site.
So much perfume here, woven with berries, flowers, earth and stoney scents. Already a model of irresistibility, it is overflowing with flavour and freshness.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Gamay
Country - France
Region - Beaujolais
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14%