Julien Sunier

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Country of Origin: France
Location: Avenas
People: Julien Sunier, Owner & Winemaker
Viticulture: Practicing Organic

Items

Julien Sunier 2022 'Wild Soul' Beaujolais Villages AOC Login AG 88 In Stock
Julien Sunier 2022 Fleurie AOC Login AG 92 In Stock
Julien Sunier 2021 Morgon AOC Login AG 92 In Stock
Julien Sunier 2022 Morgon AOC Login AG 92 In Stock

The domaine of Julien Sunier is one of the most exciting new tiny properties to come out of the Beaujolais in recent years. Originally from Dijon, Burgundy, Sunier’s family was not in the wine trade. His mother in fact made her living cutting hair, and one of her regular clients happened to (auspiciously) be Christophe Roumier.

When Julien graduated from school, he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life, so he decided to go work with Roumier, which started his passion for wine. He spent his early twenties globe-trotting on the international wine route. His travels took him to California and New Zealand, allowing him to both surf and work harvest in both hemispheres. When he returned to Burgundy, Julien worked alongside winemakers Nicolas Potel in Nuits Saint-Georges and Jean-Claude Rateau in Beaune, where he solidified a passion for organic and biodynamic viticulture.

Following his stint in Burgundy, Julien spent five years managing a large negociant where he worked with growers in all of the 10 Cru Beaujolais villages. This work proved to be invaluable as it gave him a strong understanding of the various microclimates throughout the region.

In the spring of 2008, Julien established a domaine more inline with his ideas of organic viticulture and natural winemaking. He secured three hectares of densely planted, old-vine, hilltop parcels in the Cru villages of Fleurie, Morgon and Régnié. Currently, he is converting all of his vineyards to organic viticulture (six acres are certified Agriculture Biologique, 4 acres are in organic conversion, and the remaining 10 acres are meadow). Harvesting entirely by hand, Julien does whole cluster, indigenous yeast fermentations in concrete vats at low temperatures in an effort to preserve fresh fruit flavors and a delicate tannin structure. After the alcoholic fermentations are complete, the fruit is slowly and gently pressed over a 24-hour period using an ancient vertical press Julien acquired in the Côte D’Or. The wines are then aged for up to 8 months in a combination of 3 - 9 year old Burgundy barrels that he gets from Christophe Roumier and stainless steel tanks.

The resulting wines are exceptionally pure, elegant and without artifice. They are at once bright, floral and high-toned but with an ethereal texture and a beguiling, long finish. While you would be hard pressed to try and delay the immediate gratification of drinking the wines young, they have the depth and balanced structure to reward medium-term cellaring.

Media Links
The New York Times: Easygoing Overachievers

Reviews

  • Julien Sunier 2021 Morgon AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 92 (5/4/2023)

    The 2021 Morgon comes from six parcels (2.8-hectares) hence there is no lieu-dit, each vinified separately. This has an open nose, one that errs towards a fine Grenache in style with just a hint of eau-de-vie. The palate is well-balanced with a fine acidity, edgy and lightly spiced with a dash of white pepper towards the finish. So fresh and vibrant.
  • Julien Sunier 2022 'Wild Soul' Beaujolais Villages AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 88 (4/23/2024)

    The 2022 Beaujolais-Villages Wild Soul has plenty of red plum and raspberry coulis aromas on the nose. It's quite forward and generous. The palate is medium-bodied with juicy red fruit, a touch of white pepper and thyme. Enjoy this over the next two to three years.
  • Julien Sunier 2022 Morgon AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 92 (4/23/2024)

    The 2022 Morgon comes from 2.5 hectares of vines from different parcels (these are named on the label). Sunier told me he doesn't want to make a "masculine" Morgon, so he is not seeking tannins. He uses wild yeasts with no pump-overs. The 2022 has an expressive bouquet with red cherries, crushed strawberries and hints of pressed white flowers. The palate is fleshy and open, slightly chalky in texture and, like the Régnié, there is attractive piquancy on the finish by way of a dash of white pepper.
  • Julien Sunier 2022 Fleurie AOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 92 (4/23/2024)