Château de La Chaize
Fleurie "Clos de La Chapelle des Bois" Monopole 2020
Fleurie
La Chapelle des Bois is one of the most singular and historically significant plots in the Fleurie appellation. Named for a 15th-century chapel that once served as a place of pilgrimage, the site carries a spiritual heritage that predates modern viticulture by centuries. The quality of the terroir was recognized as early as 1810, when a protective stone wall was constructed around the vineyard. That wall was fully restored by the Gruy family following their acquisition of the estate in 2019, a deliberate act of stewardship that speaks to how seriously they regard what they inherited.
Fewer than 3,000 bottles are produced per vintage, and only in exceptional years. This is a wine of rare precision and depth for Fleurie, an appellation better known for charm and accessibility than for this kind of concentrated, structured complexity. La Chapelle des Bois is the exception that redefines what the appellation is capable of.
VINEYARD
La Chapelle des Bois sits at approximately 900 feet above sea level in the Fleurie appellation, with a south to southwest exposure on light, well-drained granite sandstone soils typical of the region and rich in essential nutrients. The plot is enclosed by a protective stone wall constructed in 1810, a testament to the quality of the site long recognized by those who farmed it. Surrounded by natural woodland that provides thermal balance, the vineyard benefits from exceptional conditions for slow, even ripening. Deliberately low yields of under 30 hL/ha push the vines toward full phenolic maturity, producing fruit of a concentration and complexity rarely seen in Fleurie.
WINEMAKING
50% whole-cluster fermentation adds structure to a variety that can tend toward the delicate. Vinification is entirely gravity-fed, with no fining or filtration, preserving the full integrity of the fruit. Aged 18 months in large oak casks before bottling.
VINTAGE
2020 brought above-average sunshine across the Beaujolais, favoring optimal aromatic and phenolic ripeness across the appellation. The growing season delivered the kind of conditions that reward a site like La Chapelle des Bois: consistent warmth, good thermal balance, and fruit that arrived at harvest in exceptional condition. It is precisely this combination of vintage quality and site integrity that justifies the release of La Chapelle des Bois, a wine produced only when the year merits it.
TASTING NOTE
Aromas of macerated red fruits, cherry, and subtle spice, with smoky nuances on the nose. Rounded on the palate, with a refined, velvety tannic structure and a finish that lingers with quiet precision.
FOOD PAIRING
Roasted duck, lamb chops, charcuterie, mushroom dishes, aged soft cheeses
Color
Red
Blend %
100% Gamay
Appellation
Fleurie
Alcohol
13.5%
Suggested Retail Price
$195
Reviews
Vinous - March 1, 2026 "The 2020 Fleurie Clos de la Chapelle des Bois comes from the 3.20-hectare monopole and the fruit here is pressed using a vertical press, undergoing an 18-day maceration in concrete vats, and aged for 18 months in oak foudres. There is no filtration here. This has a gorgeous bouquet with floral scents, violet and iris that infuse the blueberry and raspberry coulis scents, hints of blood orange emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with velvety tannins, a fine bead of acidity, pure fruit and a discrete crescendo towards the finish. This is worth seeking out."
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Brouilly "Clos de La Chaize”
Beaujolais, France
Located right behind the Château, this 22-hectare monopole lieu-dit gathers all the characteristics of a great terroir, boasting a south east exposure, steep slope, deep granitic soil, and old vines.
Côte de Brouilly "Chavannes"
Beaujolais, France
This vineyard's unique terroir features pink granite soils that foster deep root exploration and optimal grape cultivation conditions; a seriously complex Beaujolais with exceptional character.
Brouilly Lieu-Dit "La Chaize" Monopole
Beaujolais, France
Located right behind the Château, this 22-hectare monopole lieu-dit gathers all the characteristics of a great terroir, boasting a south east exposure, steep slope, deep granitic soil, and old vines.
Brouilly
Beaujolais, France
A blend of select vineyard sites owned by Chaize, situated around the historic Château. Capturing the essence of Brouilly Cru du Beaujolais, known for its ideal granite soil for Gamay, this wine delights with a harmonious blend of complexity and fruity aromas, showcasing the terroir's finesse.
Fleurie
Beaujolais, France
Crafted from a selection of vineyard parcels located in the heart of the Fleurie appellation, it perfectly captures the essence of its granitic terroir, renowned for imparting exceptional elegance and floral complexity.
