l'Oiseau de Passage - Gamay - Leynes, Beaujolais, FR - 2022

Satellite's Hot Take

Incredibly elegant and aromatically fascinating. Such a pretty and serious bojo from Leynes, a completely rare cru.

Notes from the Winery/Importer

Village level Beaujolais from the northern reaches of the region along the border with Burgundy. Carbonic maceration and aged in traditional vessels this is a lightearted and easy drinking Gamay, though not to be confused with simple. The wines of Julien Frappa are always made with the highest quality organic grapes and with a lot of craft in the cellar. Round and fruit forward with strawberries and fresh hay.

• Appellation Beaujoalis-Leynes
• Variety Gamay
• Vintage 2022
• Vine Age 27 years
• Elevation 400m
• Soil Limestone, Blue Stone
• Yield 5t/ha
• Vinification Traditional Vessel
• Aging Traditional Vessel
• Alcohol 13.5%
• Farming Practices Organic

Notes on the Producer

L’oiseau de Passage is the brainchild of Julien Frappa, a committed organic vigneron and micro garagiste working in some of the most respected crus and terroirs of Beaujolais. Until recently Julien was a part time winemaker; also holding down a job at a Lyon museum while working with friends and mentors across Beaujolais to learn the natural farming techniques and cellar practices that make his wines a superb addition to the Barrel Down portfolio. Julien works solely with Gamay, not unusual in Beaujolais where the vast majority of vineyards are planted to the grape. In the crus of Régnié, Morgon and Cote du Brouilly, in high altitude, granitic soils Julien’s wine show both power and finesse.