Alex Dale of Radford Dale and Radford Dale Imports is one of South Africa’s most prolific importers of key French wines as well as premier wines from the New World such as California, Australia and New Zealand. Most recently a container arrived on South African soil, carrying what may very well be the greatest selection of Beaujolais ever to make it to our shores. For the Virtual Tour we have put together a case of wine representing six of the ten Crus of Beaujolais from Radford Dale Imports' much larger portfolio (also available via Port2Port), this selection of refreshing, approachable reds is set to be the wine of choice this summer.
The Region
The wines typify lighter, more elegant styles of red, coinciding with the global movement towards wines of more balance and freshness and at a time of the rebirth of the Beaujolais region and one of the great vineyards of France, which had fallen on hard times but is now enjoying renewed dynamism.
A new generation of winemakers is bringing Beaujolais back to the limelight and creating excitement and quality that has been dormant for decades. Beaujolais is the birthplace of the natural wine movement and a cauldron of talented young guns like the Swartland over recent years.
The Virtual Tour
Given the gravity of this arrival we at Port2Port felt it prudent to set up a virtual tour of Beaujolais led by Alex and two of the French producers, to offer you an introduction to the region and its wines from the proverbial horse’s mouth.
Alex will be joined by Boris Gruy of Château de la Chaize and Julien Revillon of Domaines Dominique Piron. Boris is the manager of Château de la Chaize and nephew of the owner, while Julien is progressively taking over Domaines Dominique Piron, the current owner serving a second term as President of the Producers of Beaujolais.
The details of the Virtual Tour are as follows:
Date: 5th November 2020
Time: 5:30pm (SA time)
How to Book: To reserve your seat, merely fill in your details below:
The Wine
These wines will be tasted and discussed during the Virtual Tour and are available for purchase during or after the event.
Please do note that if you order this case after the 28th October 2020 it will not reach you in time to serve as accompaniment to the Virtual Tour, but that you may enjoy it later having been educated on the subject.
Domaine Dominique Piron - Morgon Grand Cras 2018
The Morgon cru is located on the hills of the commune of Villié Morgon in the North Beaujolais. The climate is continental and the small plots from which this wine comes benefit from a south-eastern exposure overlooking the Saône valley. At an altitude of 200-300m, these vines over 50 years old flourish on decomposed rock, a foundation rich in iron oxide and shales. Harvested manually, the grapes are sorted and partially destemmed. Fermentation took place in cement tanks up to 15/18 days, with "pigeages" and pumping over.
12,5%vol
Domaine Dominique Piron - Chenas Quartz 2017
The Chénas cru is the smallest in surface area of the Beaujolais crus, which makes it a rare wine. The climate is continental. This unique 9 ha plot, on a steep slope, faces east between 310 and 380 meters above sea level and the vines are around 60 years old. The granite, covered with Quartz crystals gives this wine a distinct personality. Grapes are harvested by hand,sorted over a table and partially destemmed. A first phase of semi-carbonic fermentation for a few days is followed by a period of regular punching down, à la "Bourguignonne", and pumping over, in total between 18 and 20 days of fermentation. About 30% of the harvest is aged in oak barrels for a few months, to create roundness and elegance for the final wine. 12,5%vol
Château de la Chaize - Brouilly Lieu-Dit 'La Chaize' Monopole 2018
Magnificent steep slope behind the Château. In the centre of the parcelle, le Clos de La Chaize, surrounded by its protective stone wall since 1676. Porphyritic granite soil endows elegance and length on the wines made from this terroir. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, in whole clusters and destemmed, depending on the percentages going into the vintage. Wine-making respects each terroir.
Carbonic maceration and pumping-over preserve Brouilly fruit and freshness. Wines then go into the cellar where they spend 18 months in casks.
Château de la Chaize - Côte de Brouilly Lieu-Dit 'Brûlhier' 2018
0.5 hectares of vines on a small, steep parcel that backs up to the southern side of Mont Brouilly. The vines thrive at an altitude between 400 and 425 meters and enjoy full southern exposure. The average slope is 28%. The soil contains Brouilly diorite (andesite) also referred to as "blue stone". Alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, in whole clusters and destemmed, depending on the percentages going into the vintage. Wine-making respects each terroir. Carbonic maceration and pumping-over preserve Brouilly fruit and freshness.
Wines then go down into the cellar where they spend 18 months in casks.
Domaine Paul Janin et Fils - Moulin-à-Vent 'Saprolite' 2018
New cuvée from decomposed granite plots (saprolite), which is very common lying in the Moulin à Vent appellation. Plots located on the climates Les Greneriers, Les Burdelines, La Teppe and Aux Caves. A complete and harmonious Moulin-à-Ventthat will require laying down for about 5 years to begin to reveal its potential. Very worn granite soils, piedmont and ancient alluvium. The vines are 80 to 100 years old and pruned traditionally in the low-trained Gobelet style. The soil is worked by ploughing near to surface level 3 to 4 times a year. Grapes are picked by hand using small crates which can hold up to 35 kilos. Sorting is done on a vibrating sorting table. Winemaking, using whole grape bunches, is done keeping each plot in a separate vat for a period of 12 to 15 days before pressing.14,5%vol.
Domaine de la Grosse Pierre - Chiroubles 'La Grosse Pierre' 2018
2018 vintage, 50 year old vines, Decomposed Granite soils, 4 hectares, 350m elevation. Spontaneous fermentation. 12 days on the skins with gentle daily pump-overs. No SO2 added. 100% Malolactic fermentation.Matured 8 months in stainless steel and concrete tanks. No racking, fining or filtration. 12.5%vol
Terms & Conditions
* There are only 50 cases of 6 x 750ml available for purchase.
* In order to receive your Case of Beaujolais in time for the Virtual Tour all purchases to be made by the 28th of October 2020.
* Should you wish to attend the Virtual without purchasing the case, please reserve your seat below:
