"The 2022 Fleurie La Chapelle des Bois has darker fruit on the nose, blackberry and touches of briar. It's tight at first, though it opens gradually over the course of 15 minutes. The palate is sweeter and riper than the regular Fleurie, though a patina of over-ripeness and unwanted notes of fig and raisin mark that finish. It feels molded too much by the growing season and perhaps picked a day or two tardy." -Neal Martin
Decanter
D96
"This family wine estate was founded 350 years ago by Jean-François de La Chaize d’Aix, whose descendants passed the business on in 2017 to the family of Christophe Gruy. With 450ha (150ha under vine), it’s the largest estate in Beaujolais. La Chapelle des Bois comes from 40-year-old vines on a single 1ha southwest-facing plot grown on sandy soils with granite pebbles. Fruit 100% destemmed, and the wine matured for 12 months in large oak foudres, which were renewed between 2018 and 2020. Andy Howard MW: Quite inky, good concentration and dark-berry/cherry notes. Firm, crisp and bright. Lovely texture and balance, with a sapidity which marks this out as a top-quality wine. Melania Battiston: Seductive and ethereal nose with violets, lavender and ripe strawberries. Soft and silk-like with plenty of freshness and ageing potential. Victoria Daskal: Soft summer fruit, gentle, yet persistent. Pleasing palate of soft satin tannins. Charming, fresh, fragrant florals and cherries. Lovely for lunch."
Wine Enthusiast
WE93
"This is a standout Fleurie. Delicate, floral aromas waft from the glass along with hibiscus, red raspberry, Darjeeling tea, pomegranate and dried cherry. A silky palate frames well-integrated fruit and entices the senses with subtle moments of savoriness that emerge on the finish." -Reggie Solomon