Christophe Pacalet Cote de Brouilly 2023

Christophe Pacalet sits firmly in the wonderfully rebellious side of Beaujolais and Burgundy, where minimal intervention, old vines and vibrant drinkability matter far more than heavy extraction or expensive oak cosplay.

Nephew of the legendary Marcel Lapierre, Pacalet comes from natural wine royalty and clearly inherited the family philosophy that wine should taste alive rather than polished into submission. Based in Burgundy but working across Beaujolais and neighbouring regions, he focuses on low-intervention wines fermented naturally with minimal sulphur and loads of vineyard expression.

The Beaujolais wines are particularly joyful. Gamay here becomes floral, energetic and beautifully juicy, packed with cherry, raspberry, spice and earthy savouriness while still carrying real depth underneath. These are not simple glugging wines despite how quickly bottles tend to disappear.

The Burgundies meanwhile stay light on their feet too. Pinot Noir handled this gently keeps all its fragrance and finesse without becoming weighed down by excessive oak or extraction. Freshness and drinkability sit right at the centre of everything.

What makes Christophe Pacalet especially appealing is how relaxed the wines feel despite their serious pedigree. They’re thoughtful and expressive without disappearing into self-important wine intellectualism.

Also, Beaujolais and natural wine remains one of the most dangerously effective combinations ever created. You open one bottle intending to “taste” it and suddenly it’s midnight and somebody’s passionately discussing carbonic maceration over cheese.

A deeply noble tradition.