Description
Julien Sunier, Morgon
Throughout all of Julien’s vineyard sites, each vine is chemically-untouched and tended to by hand—he’s adamant about farming organically with biodynamic principles. At Julien’s winery in Avenas, his Gamay bottlings are crafted slightly differently according to the vintage and terroir. Generally speaking, the “Crus” undergo a cold carbonic vinification with wild, airborne yeasts and zero sulfur additions. An old-fashioned wooden press is used for pressing and the juice is transferred into old barrels via gravity. An unfined and unfiltered bottling with trace amounts of sulfites occurs roughly one year after harvest.
Sunier’s Morgon parcels are among the most treasured in all of Beaujolais: the lieux-dits of “Corcelette,” “Py,” and “Charmes.” If there was ever a Grand Cru classification for Beaujolais, these would certainly be at the top of the list. Throughout these sites, Julien’s chemically untouched vines average 60 years of age and are farmed organically with biodynamic principles. In 2020, indigenous yeasts triggered a natural, sulfur-free fermentation, and the resulting wine aged nine months in neutral Burgundy barrels (75%) and concrete eggs (25%). His Morgon is a masterclass in luxuriousness and lift: The palate is ripe, dark-fruited, and deeply layered, but 12.5% alcohol and superb energy gives it mindblowing finesse. You’ll uncover dense cherry, violets, damp earth, spiced plums, and heaps of pulverized minerality with a hint of smoke. Decant for at least 30 minutes and enjoy over the next 5+ years.
