Jean-Claude Lapalu Alma Mater – Beaujolais – Red – 2020:

 

Domaine Lapalu Alma Mater: A Natural Wine Masterpiece

Jean-Claude Lapalu’s Alma Mater Rouge cuvée is a testament to the Beaujolais Renaissance. This isn’t your average Gamay; it’s a deep, structured ‘Vin de France’ from 70-year-old, biodynamically farmed vines. Its distinguishing feature is the long maceration and subsequent ageing in large terracotta amphorae, which lends the wine incredible purity and length.

Sommelier’s Tasting Profile

• Appearance: A deep, almost opaque ruby red.
• Aroma: Intense and complex, revealing layers of ripe black cherry, plum, and elegant notes of violet and sweet liquorice.
• Taste: The palate is full, with a beautifully concentrated core of dark fruit. Silky, fine-grained tannins provide excellent structure, while a vibrant minerality keeps the wine fresh and ethereal. It’s dense, lively, and built to age well in the cellar.

This wine is an ‘outlier’ in the best sense, showcasing the serious, age-worthy potential of Gamay when treated with minimal intervention and maximum respect for the terroir.

Food Matching & Decanting

Best served slightly cool (16°C) and highly recommended to decant for an hour to allow its complex aromas to fully develop.

Beaujolais 2020
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