The Beaujolais Boys
6th January, 2012 by Lucy ShawFabien Chasselay
Age: 27
With three years as chief winemaker at his family property, Domaine Chasselay, under his belt, wine alchemist Fabien Chasselay has begun to experiment with a variety of styles, making everything from a nutty white Beaujolais to an 8% abv sparkling Gamay and a 100% Pinot Noir, while his barrel-aged Morgon and Fleurie have been taken on by online organic wine pioneers Vintage Roots.
Having worked stints in Rutherglen, Australia, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the daring young winemaker’s latest trick is a sweet wine made from Cognac and partially fermented grape must named La Mistelle d’Améthyste after Bacchus’ girlfriend.
“I like to keep challenging myself,” he says. “A lot of my wines are purely experimental. When I get bored, I invent a new wine.”
At the domaine, where he makes wine from organically certified grapes with his sister Claire, weedkillers have been replaced with infusions of lavender, horsetail, seaweed and nettle.
Despite having a 15-strong range, production remains small at just 5,000 cases a year from 11 hectares across Morgon, Fleurie, Brouilly and Chénas.
Gosh so much passion abounding! Great news for Beaujolais and just what it needs to freshen up its image.
I did smile to myself though as I wondered what the reaction would be if it was a line up of 10 young female winemakers treated in the same way – you’d never get away with it
I love drinking good Beaujolais and am so glad to see the new generation moving ahead and respecting the terroir and the grape..Foillard, Lapierre,Thivin.Brun have shown just what the region can do and now we have more to look forward to….go Gamay!!!
I went on a 3 day study tour with Harpers/Inter Beaujolais recently. The quality and passion shown by the younger generation was paramount. A willingness to experiment whilst maintaining a very high standard for the appellations wines. Consistency was key too across the climats.
Paul Henry Thillardon, Christophe LaPierre and Romain Jambon are not only taking the reins of Beaujolais but are all old school mates who are sharing their knowledge between them with their wines and production.
Keep an eye out central Burgundy. Your noisy, southern neighbour is coming.