| Rating | 93 |
| Style | Red |
| Variety | Gamay |
| Vintage | 2024 |
| Appellation |
Beaujolais France |
| ABV | 12% |
| Price | $26.00 |
| Print Shelf Talker | |
| Reviewed By | |
| Reviewed | 2026-11-10 |
Jean-Claude Lapalu ‘Eau Forte’ 2024 Review
Jean-Claude Lapalu is a third generation winegrower in Beaujolais. His family had historically sold their grapes to a co-op, but in 1993 Jean-Claude began making wine from his vineyards and labeling it under his name, eventually joining the movement of producers leading the movement toward organic agriculture and minimal intervention winemaking in the region. Many of Lapalu’s bottlings come from the Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly crus, but this cuvée is sourced from a single parcel on the border of the Bouilly designation. It brings Gamay’s signature fruit-forward character, with lively strawberry and blueberry notes, complemented by savory notes of smoke and fresh green herbs like mint. It’s light, juicy, and easy drinking, but with an extra bit of depth and structure that holds it all together.
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