Raphaël Chopin ‘Les Braves’, Régnié, Beaujolais, France 2020

 Based in Lantignié, just west of Régnié, Raphaël Chopin represents a new generation of Beaujolais vignerons blending tradition with a modern sensitivity to terroir. Having trained with renowned natural winemakers like Jean-Claude Lapalu, Chopin farms his small parcels organically and vinifies with a gentle hand, producing expressive, pure-fruited Gamay that reflects each cru’s unique personality. Cuvée name translates to “The Brave Ones.”

• WINEMAKER: Raphaël Chopin
• FARMING: Practicing organic; hand-harvested fruit from old goblet-trained vines. Soils are plowed mechanically with no herbicides or synthetic treatments.
• VARIETY: 100% Gamay Noir
• TERROIR: From the single vineyard ‘Les Braves’ in the cru of Régnié, planted on sandy granite soils with excellent drainage and moderate elevation. The combination of granitic bedrock and mature vines (averaging 50 years old) gives depth, freshness, and aromatic lift to the wine.
• VINIFICATION: Whole-cluster, semi-carbonic maceration using native yeasts in concrete vats. The fermentation proceeds slowly and naturally with minimal extraction. Bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal sulfur.
• AGING: Aged 8–10 months in neutral oak barrels before bottling.
• TASTING NOTES: Bright and energetic, with aromas of wild strawberry, red cherry, and rose petal over a backbone of crushed granite and spice. The palate is supple yet structured, with fine tannins, lively acidity, and a mineral finish that balances fruit purity with savory complexity.
• FOOD PAIRINGS: Excellent with roast poultry, seared salmon, charcuterie, or mushroom tart. Serve lightly chilled.
• ALCOHOL: ~13%