Maison Passot 2017 'Les Rampaux' Chiroubles, Beaujolais, France

Maison Passot 2017 'Les Rampaux' Chiroubles, Beaujolais, France 

Maison  Passot  is  a  small  11  hectare  family  property  spread  over  4  crus  in  Beaujolais.    Owners  Dominique,  Rémy  and  Simon  continue  the  family  tradition,  going  back  generations.   The  family  tends  21  plots  -  half  of  which  are  in  Chiroubles,  one  quarter  in  Morgon,  and  smaller  holdings  in  Fleurie  and  Régnié  -  in  addition  to  some  Viognier  vines.   All  farming  follows  strict  tenets of la lutte raisonnée for  a more “natural” wine, surrounded by signs of life and rich biodiversity.

Winemaker: Rémy  and  Simon Passot

Farming: Lutte Raisonée (Sustainable with organic practices)

Varieties: Gamay

Terroir: Chiroubles  is  considered  “the  most  Beaujolais  of  the  Crus”  with  its  thin  sandy,  degraded  granite  soils  (known  locally  as  gore)  that  produce  very  delicate  wines.    Passot’s plots are 50 year old vines on slopes oriented to the southeast at 300-400 meters (the highest altitude in Beaujolais). 

Vinification: Hand harvested grapes that undergo primary and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel and cement vats.

Aging: Cement

Scores: 92 VINIOUS   “Bright violet color. Vibrant, sharply focused red  berry, cherry and floral pastille scents, along with suggestions of  musky earth and licorice. In an elegant, seamless style, offering juicy  raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that turn sweeter as the wine opens  up. The floral note comes back on a very long, lively finish that’s  framed by silky tannins that fold smoothly into the sappy fruit.” - Josh  Raynolds