- 94
- 95
- Nick's Import
2019 Marcel Lapierre Morgon Magnum (1500ml)
Since legendary US importer Kermit Lynch dubbed them the Gang of Four in the 1980's, wine collectors the world over have been searching for the precious few bottles of Beaujolais from Jean Foillard, Marcel Lapierre, Guy Breton, and Jean-Paul Thévenet. Each of these producers were inspired by the natural wine growing and wine making methods of local hero Jules Chauvet. Their aim is to help the unique Beaujolais terroir express itself with minimal intervention, harnessing old vines farmed with organic practices, fermentation with natural yeasts, along with limited use of sulphur. Together they have raised not only the profile of the region, but demonstrated that Beaujolais is more than just 'Nouveau' and can indeed produce meaningful, complex and wonderful wines.
While each of these producers release limited quantities of wine, Lapierre remains some of the hardest bottles to secure. Marcel Lapierre took over the family domaine from his father in 1973, and in a familiar story he was heavily influenced by Jules Chauvet in the 1980's and begun to translate those learnings to his wines. Shunning the use of synthetic herbicides or pesticides, his old vines were tended with great care before harvesting and sorting only the healthiest, fully ripened grapes. Lapierre wines are bright and fleshy, and represent the essence of great Morgon. Following Marcel's passing in 2010, his son Mathieu and daughter Camille now confidently continue the great work that their father pioneered.
Other Reviews....
Deep magenta. Vibrant, spice-tinged aromas of raspberry, cherry liqueur and pungent flowers are complemented by a minerally nuance that steps up with aeration. Sappy and energetic on the palate, offering intense cherry, red berry, candied lavender and spicecake flavors that put on weight through the back half. Finishes gently tannic and impressively long, leaving exotic spice and red berry preserve notes behind. Drink 2023 - 2032.
94 points
Josh Raynolds - Vinous
Lots of red and black bramble fruit on the nose with flowers, wet earth, old vine, moss and citrus peel, following through to a medium-to full-bodied palate with light, round tannins and a bright, vivid finish. It develops beautifully in the glass giving more and more purity of fruit and creamy round tannins. Low sulfur. From one of the masters of Beaujolais. Drink now.
95 points
JamesSuckling.com