A rising star in the Beaujolais, high-altitude natural winemaker Nicolas Chemarin produces wines of charming depth and focus thanks to immense care bestowed in the vineyard.
This is no mean feat: at up to 550 metres, on steep slopes at 3555% gradient, with old vines up to 80 years old producing minuscule yields; last but not least with barely any top soil at all (some plots are simply gravel on a granitic base).
Nicolas tells us matter of fact ‘to make Beaujolais up there you must really want it! Or be born here…’. In fact, Nicolas is one the very last producers ‘up there’. Due to vine age, extreme poverty of the soil and cooling altitude, the vines have had to dig very deep: The result are wines of extraordinary density rarely found at Beaujolais Villages level.
Nicolas Chemarin – P’tit Grobis Blanc 2015
(100% Chardonnay)
PRICE: £ 12.50 (click here to buy via our online shop)
Tasting Note: From vines at 400m, south facing, high density planting of 10000, on granite-clay soils. Left on the lees in stainless steel only before bottling. A delicious wine at this level, with plenty of acacia, citrus, exotic fruits, peach, pear and a touch of butter. Lively and delicious, this is an excellent everyday wine from Beaujolais to enjoy with seafood, white meats, Comté cheese; best at 8-10 °C.
Nicolas Chemarin – P’tit Grobis Rouge 2015
(100% Gamay)
PRICE: £ 11.00 (click here to buy via our online shop)
Tasting Note: Exposed South by South-West, the vines grow at 500m on a granitic base with very little top soil, with a density of 10000. Indigenous yeasts, no S02, carbonic vinification. Generous aromas on the nose of cherry and fresh red fruits with a touch of sweet spice. Round, smooth, easy drinking with a lively palate. An excellent everyday wine for charcuterie, salad, pizza, light meats.
Nicolas Chemarin – Rosé Pour LyLy Vin de France 2015
(100% Gamay)
PRICE: £ 8.75 (click here to buy via our online shop)
Tasting Note: A site at 500m, vines 30-35 years of age, granitic soil, vine density 10000. 50% from press, 50% from saignée of the Beaujolais. Ageing on lees under steel then bottled with early filtering to preserve full primary fruit aromas. Pink-Salmon colour, aromas of fresh small red berries (wild strawberry, cranberry, raspberry) with a lively, crisp acidity. Cold cuts, pizza, salads, sushi and sashimi.
Nicolas Chemarin – Beaujolais Villages Les Vignes de Jeannot 2014
(100% Gamay)
PRICE: £ 13.50 (click here to buy via our online shop)
Tasting Note: Only produced in the very best vintages, at 450m, with 80% grape destemming, this wine is made from tiny 60-70-year-old bush vines. This is not a semi-carbonic Beaujolais, instead using Burgundian practices: The result is complex, fine, with plenty of aromas of Morello cherry, raspberry, peony, liquorice, kirsch and soft spices on a round, elegant structure. A Villages of Cru level! Low extraction, great natural acidity. Red meats, cheese. Low SO2, unfined, unfiltered.
Nicolas Chemarin – Morgon Corcelette 2014
(100% Gamay)
PRICE: £ 17.50 (click here to buy via our online shop)
Tasting Note: The terroir of Corcelette, located to the West on the way to Chiroubles. Wines produced here can offer added finesse, freshness and bite while the best can make for striking cellaring wines. Expect robust ripe black fruits and spice with an earthy, animal aspect on a broad palate with beautiful tannins. Will easily age 10+ years. Game, meats in sauce, cheese.