Philippe Pacalet, Cornas 2017

Philippe is the nephew of iconic Beaujolais producer Marcel Lapierre, with whom he cut his teeth, and spent 10 years working at Prieuré Roch. He owns no vineyard land, preferring to work with growers championing organic and biodynamic practices – there is a firm focus on sustainability here. Pure, unaltered expression of terroir is the goal. All grapes are handpicked and undergo a strict selection while still in the vineyards before being transported to Philippe’s winery in Beaune where they are whole bunch fermented, undergo a lengthy maceration and the traditional pipeage. Aging always takes place on fine lees in used oak.