Smith-Chapel Julienas Vayolette 2021

Michele Smith and David Chapel met in Beaujolais, whilst Michele was on holiday and David was working at Lapierre. After some time in New York, where, most recently, Michele was the Wine Director for Brooklyn Fare they moved back to Beaujolais to become vignerons. Their first vintage, 2016 Julienas Côte de Bessay, was vinified at Lapierre whilst they were still searching for their own cellars. In 2017 with their new family home and cellars in Régnié-Durette they started on the new vintage, introducing a Beaujolais Villages from fruit in nearby Lantignié from organically farmed vineyards. 

We introduced Domaine Chapel to our portfolio with the Julienas, which saw its final vintage being produced in 2018. The wine quickly gained cult status and whilst we are sad to see it go, we are so excited to represent the Fleurie, Chiroubles, Moulin-a Vent, and Aligoté. Michele and David have spent thousands of hours over the last year working the land on these sites and the resulting wines are quite remarkable. 

At last! A return to Julienas for the Smith-Chapels, this time from a 4ha vineyard on the limit of Julienas with blue stones and granite.  

All winemaking is very low extraction, with carbonic maceration, no pigeage, and no punching down: just keeping the cap wet. The style here is really elegant, and as Chapel gains more experience and makes more wine, this will be a Domaine to watch.