Beaujolais Villages Le Rang du Merle - 2022 - Jean Claude Lapalu

A Gamay made from over-matured, raisiny grapes from 90-year-old vines grown organically and planted on granitic soils. Living soils, ploughed and worked by hand without chemistry or weedkillers. Grapes harvested by hand once slightly over-ripe and shrivelled, handled with respect to preserve the indigenous yeasts. Natural vinification, carbonic maceration of whole bunches for around 3 weeks, maturation for 9 months in barrels, without new oak. Bottled at the Estate without fining or filtration, just the tiniest addition of sulphur.