Jean-Paul Brun : Terres Dorees "L'Ancien" 2017

Vibrant Beaujolais that Pleases Every Palate

Owner and winemaker Jean Paul Brun grew up on a family farm that also included 4 hectars of vines. When he became interested in winemaking, his father stopped selling the grapes and they started making small batches of wine. In 1977, Jean Paul converted the farm and slowly built the vineyard up to 30 hectares in Southern Beaujolais in the village of Charnay. The heart of the estate is a 25 hectare plot of land that is situated upon a bed of clay and limestone, and is where most of the Gamay grapes for Brun's wines are grown. The winery also owns small parcels of land in the granite-based soils of Moulin-à-Vent, Morgon and Brouilly. The winery prides itself on making more of a Burgundian style of wine, rather than following the typical path of other Beaujolais producers. Brun's first wine made was a Beaujolais Blanc from Chardonnay, and today 8 hectares are dedicated to it. He also is one of the few producers in the southern Beaujolais that has planted Pinot Noir vines, back in 1989, allowing him to release a red wine under the Bourgogne appellation.

The Terre Dorees L'Ancien Beaujolais 2017 is made up of 100% Gamay grapes ranging from 40 to 60 years old. Terre Dorees stands apart from other Beaujolais producers, as it does not utilize chapitalization or carbonic maceration that other producers do. Rather, the grapes are destemmed and fermented and aged in concrete vats. The wine has a beautiful bouquet of cranberry and cherry. On the palate it is bright and vibrant with smooth tannins, a touch of acid and a long finish. This wine is perfect to bring to a party, as it will please every palate and entice everyone to have another glass!