Château des Capitans Juliénas 2021/22
The 19th century Château des Capitans is a hallmark of the Juliénas appellation, known for its commitment to traditional, quality-focused winemaking. The estate's vineyards are situated on some of the steepest slopes, ensuring excellent drainage and sun exposure. In popular tradition, the hamlet is said to preserve traces of a Roman past and was considered to be a strategic point and headquarters, hence the name ‘Capitan’, which refers to its function as an officer’s quarters. Juliénas wines are so called in honour of Julius Caesar who occupied the region in 100 BC. Château des Capitans Juliénas stands out as one of the most structured and satisfying expressions of Gamay in the region. Grown in granite-rich soils, the wines of Juliénas are famously generous, offering a darker fruit profile, impressive aging potential, and that signature savory spice that makes it a true food wine. This isn’t your typical light-and-easy Beaujolais. It offers complexity and concentration, bridging the gap between delicate Cru wines like Fleurie and the powerhouses like Moulin-à-Vent. The nose is immediately expressive, leading with classic black cherry and raspberry, followed by compelling secondary notes of clove, cracked black pepper, violet, and a touch of earthiness. The palate is medium-bodied and intensely flavoured. The fruit is dark and defined with a backbone of fine-grained tannins that provide structure, culminating in a long, savoury finish with persistent spice.
