Jean-Michel Dupré
JULY 2025
This month we're featuring the amazing work of winemaker Jean-Michel Dupré (pictured below), located in Les Ardillats (just cross the northwest border of Morgon) in Beaujolais. The red grape Gamay makes up 98% of the region's production.
I learned of his work a little over a year ago when a French importer stopped by and introduced his wines to me – crazy-delicious and super well-priced for what you get. We get a lot of interest in Gamay right now which pleases me as it's one of my favorite grapes. And to get this caliber of wine for this club with wine stocks (in general) being so low is a coup!
Jean-Michel inherited the family farm he grew up on with 2 hectares of vines. The thing that makes his plot special is that "he owns almost only old vines, some of which are centuries old." Today, he works in collaboration with his daughter, Cindy, at Domaine Centenaire, as well as some other local, winemaker friends under the label: "Les Vieilles Vignes du Père Martin".
Two-bottle club members will get a Gamay from the Cru Morgon and an unoaked Chardonnay (2% of total production in Beaujolais). Three-bottle club members will get a second Gamay from Cru Régnié (just to the south of Morgon). Enjoy!
Beaujolais
But first, here's a little on the region, so as not to confuse these wines with Beaujolais Nouveau, a young Gamay wine released 2 weeks after fermentation as part of the region's traditional harvest celebration:
Beaujolais stretches 34 miles long from the southern Burgundy border, south to the town of Lyon. It's got a semi-continental climate – not as cool as Burgundy to the north, but not at warm as the Rhône to the south. Gamay (a cross between Pinot Noir and the ancient, white grape Gouais) is not considered as elegant (or as expensive) as Pinot Noir, but it's easier to grow, ripens earlier, and produces a pleasing, fruity red that you'll find as the glass pour in pretty much every bistro in Paris!
For a little more depth and complexity, look for the Beaujolais Cru Villages: Saint-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin à Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Côtes de Brouilly, and Brouilly. Beaujolais Villages AOC is also a fun, well-priced Gamay, usually lighter, fruitier and less expensive, grown in vineyards around the 38 villages that comprise this AOC in the northern half of the region.
2-BOTTLE CLUB
Jean-Michel Dupré 2023 Morgon Chai d'Oeuvre • Beaujolais, France • Reg $28.99 | Mixed Case $23.19
100% Gamay from Cru Morgon. Lots of red plums & plum skin on the nose. Nutmeg, with a little spicy plum vibe and a pleasant tart note. Red and dark plums on the mid-palate, black cherries, orange rind acidity, note of black tea, then a return to black cherries on the vibrant, fresh finish. Lighter in body. 12.5% alcohol. Perfect summer wine. Great chilled. Sushi, chicken salad, white fish, fried chicken, charcuterie, salads, burgers. So many options. Go to town! Drink now to 3 years.
Jean-Michel Dupré 2023 Beaujolais-Villages Blanc • Beaujolais, France • Reg $27.99 | Mixed Case $22.39
100% unoaked Chardonnay (vineyards pictured). Roasted hazelnut, stone fruit, white flowers on the nose. Flavors of apple, pears, citrus, yellow plums. Still have some nuttiness and earthy flavors. Beautiful finish. More on the earthy side with yellow plums coming through the whole way. Pretty fresh on the finish. Delicious wine. Wonderful wine to sip and enjoy or serve with rotisserie chicken or seafood. Drink now to 3 years.
3-BOTTLE CLUB
Jean-Michel Dupré 2023 Régnié La Vigne de Lili • Beaujolais, France • Reg $27.99 | Mixed Case $22.39
100% Gamay from Cru Régnié. Black cherries on the nose. Dark plums. Smells fuller than the Morgon with an earthy, smoky note. Palate adds in a note of black tea and orange rind on the finish. More fruit and fuller body (=medium) than the Morgon. 13% alcohol. Finish is fun & alive. Great wine for sipping or dinner: salmon, halibut, tuna, rotisserie chicken, pork tenderloin, zucchini pasta with burrata & more. Drink now to 3 years.
A Note from Jens:
Your wine club pick-up tasting is always the 2nd Saturday of the month. Hope you can join us to taste and learn about your delicious wines from Jean-Michel Dupré. Could not be better wines for July.
As well, you'll be able to taste the Portalis EXPLORES club wines. July theme is Loire Valley, featuring Muscadet (a white) & a Cabernet Franc from Saumur. Also amazing wines for summer! Hope you can join.
Cheers,
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop
If you are here because you’re curious about our wine clubs: Here’s more general info & online sign-up. You can also peruse the last 12 months of both clubs to get a feel for the themes we pick and the wines we showcase: Portalis EXPLORES (our everyday wine club) & Portalis FLAGSHIP (our signature club).