Domaine Marcel Lapierre, Morgon 'Cuvée N', Beaujolais, France, 2023

Overview of the Wine
In the northern hills of Beaujolais lies the pastoral Villie-Morgan, one of the ten cru villages permitted to print its name on the bottle, and also considered home of one of the best wines in Beaujolais. An hour from Lyon, the second largest city in France, Villie-Morgan is a century away in atmosphere. It is also home to a group of groundbreaking and sometimes controversial winemakers know in the US as the Gang of Four. 

This group, informally spearheaded by Marcel Lapierre, strives to make wines as naturally as possible, in the vineyard and in the winery. Lapierre's vines average 40 years of age, and his grapes are always picked at the latest possible moment in order to obtain the ripest possible fruit. No pesticides or chemicals are used in the vineyards and no sulfur or yeast is added during fermentation. The resulting wines are pure and fruity, not overly alcoholic, and always a pleasure to drink.

Though the family’s Morgon roots date back over 110 years, a chance encounter in 1981 changed the Lapierres’ winemaking trajectory forever. Marcel Lapierre crossed paths with Jules Chauvet, a fellow Beaujolais-based winemaker who was paving the way for the modern day natural wine movement. Chauvet first spoke out against chemicals in vineyards, creating a cult following amongst neighboring winemakers-- with Marcel Lapierre dubbed the leader of the pack. This ‘Gang of Four’ was praised for their ‘rebellious’ advocacy for late harvesting, hatred for herbicides, and minimal to no sulfur usage. 

Marcel Lapierre has been pioneering the natural wine movement in Beaujolais since the 1980s and is dubbed one-fourth of Kermit Lynchs renowned Gang of Four. Since his tragic passing in 2010, Marcels vision is carried on by his two children, who continue to make honest wines via organic and biodynamic farming. Cuve N is a no-sulfur added varietal Gamay from one of Morgons greatest estates. 

Organic.

Winemaker
Marcel Lapierre

Grape / Blend
100% Gamay

Origin
Beaujolais, France

Tasting Notes
Marcel Lapierre, strives to make wines as naturally as possible, in the vineyard and in the winery. Lapierre's vines average 40 years of age, and his grapes are always picked at the latest possible moment in order to obtain the ripest possible fruit. No pesticides or chemicals are used in the vineyards and no sulfur or yeast is added during fermentation. The resulting wines are pure and fruity, not overly alcoholic, and always a pleasure to drink.

Domaine Lapierre's vines are located on the Morgon terroir, undoubtedly one of the most famous Beaujolais crus. Typically, Morgon has four dominant aromas: cherry, violet, raspberry and a very slight touch of liquorice. Combining lightness and richness, this Morgon has an aging potential of around ten years on average.

93 Points - Vinous
The 2023 Morgon (Non-Sulphité) has a fresh and vibrant nose, a little more brightness than the SO2 bottling. This conveys a sense of coiled-up energy. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity and that same crunchy red fruit as the regular cuvée, but with a tad more flesh toward the finish. Lapierre told me that the brightness tends to disappear within six weeks, but nevertheless, this remains a magnificent Morgon.

Product size: 750ml