[WTN] Marcel Lapierre "IX" Raisins gaulois

[Robin Garr]

This is a Beaujolais that's not a Beaujolais, made in the Vin de Pays de Gaules region (greater Beaujolais) from unclassified Gamay grapes; "Raisins gaulois" means "Gallic grapes." The wine is broadly designated "Vin de France" ("Wine of France") and thus can carry no vintage date on U.S. labels, although the Roman numeral "IX" signals a 2009 harvest. This broad appellation is no sign of inferior quality in this case but a signal of wine maker Marcel Lapierre's inclination to march to the beat of a different drummer and produce wines that bear his own stamp. Lapierre sadly died last autumn, but his son Mathieu continues the family tradition.

Marcel Lapierre "IX" Raisins gaulois Vin de France ($11.99)

Clear dark garnet with a clear edge. Ripe wild-strawberry aroma with hints of red clay, gains berry intensity with time in the glass. Flavors follow the nose, juicy strawberries, dry and freshly acidic, with an undertone of minerality that pleasantly evokes red mud after a rain. Subtle berries persist, tart and gently tannic, moderate 12.5% alcohol in a long finish. U.S. importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, Calif. (Feb. 15, 2011)

FOOD MATCH: About as food-friendly as a very berry Pinot Noir; it was beautiful with a simple pasta dish of penne with local beef meatballs and apuree of roasted red peppers, onions and garlic.

VALUE: Extremely good value at this price.

WHEN TO DRINK: The bright, fresh fruit flavors suggest drinking it up over the next year or so. But in contrast with the "drink it before Christmas" tradition of Nouveau Beaujolais, this wine's complexity and depth - not to mention the sturdy modern metal screwcap - will likely see it hold, and possibly develop interesting flavor nuance - over at least a few more years.

WEB LINK:
Kermit Lynch, the importer, offers this essay about a visit to Marcel Lapierre in an October 2010 entry to his "Inspiring Thirst" blog.
http://blog.kermitlynch.com/2010/10/20/ ... to-marcel/

FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
Compare prices and locate vendors for Marcel LaPierre's wines on Wine-Searcher.com.
http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/Lapie ... g_site=WLP

Also, check the importer, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, which offers wines for direct sale, where legal, at this link,
http://www.kermitlynch.com/pghowtobuy.html
as well as this listing of state-by-state distributors.
http://www.kermitlynch.com/DISTRIBUTORS.htm

[David M. Bueker]

This has been available locally, though I have focused on the 2009 Crus Beaujolais instead.

[Robin Garr]

This has been available locally, though I have focused on the 2009 Crus Beaujolais instead.

The 2009 Crus are outstanding, but this one has a free spirit that I admire. And, a rare thing, a Louisville retail price that seems to be well below the Wine-Searcher.com median.