Jean-Paul Brun Saint-Amour

Jean-Paul Brun is based in Charnay, a village in the southern Beaujolais, a little north of Lyon. This incredibly picturesque spot is known as the “Terres Dorées” or the Region of Golden Stones, for, as you guessed, its gold stones, caused by the sun’s reflection on the chalky landscape. Starting off in 1979 with 4 hectares, Brun now produces over 20 wines from over 60 hectares, each wine being produced proudly independently of its sister wines. In his 40 plus years as a Beaujolais vigneron, Brun has cemented his Domaine’s place in the elite of the Beaujolais estates by fiercely rejecting many of the region’s accepted winemaking techniques. He is not a “natural” wine maker, but is amongst the most natural of his peers, farming organically and sustainably and seeking in his wines, purity of fruit and expression of place. As a note of interest, the bulk of Beaujolais is made using a laboratory yeast called 71B. It is made in Holland from a tomato base and gives the characteristic banana and bubble gum aromas so often associated with Beaujolais wines. Jean-Paul is in the pure Gamay team with authenticity a driving feature creating light and fruity wines brimming with finesse and charm. By following the traditional Burgundian vinification techniques, we have here a right wee gem (like all of Domaine des Terres Dorées’ wines). 100% Gamay and bursting with aromas of cherries, raspberries, orange peel and a stick or two of liquorice before unleashing its deeply fruity and juicy core. With a shaving of pencil, the fresh fruitiness lingers wonderfully over the fine-grained tannins ending long and elegantly. Jean-Paul Brun has been a firm favourite of ours for many years and his wines cannot come highly recommended enough. You know what to do.