Guillaume Chanudet
2023
Fleurie La Madone, Guillaume Chanudet
View details →£23.95
The SommPills Cellar
Guillaume Chanudet
1 wine on the Guillaume Chanudet shelf, chosen one at a time.
£5per bottle£200+
£5£25£50£100£200+
Guillaume Chanudet
1 wines on the shelf
Guillaume Chanudet is a fifth-generation farmer in the Beaujolais Cru of Fleurie, working seven hectares of vineyards that have never been planted with commercial clones. His grandfather operated a vine nursery and made massal selections by hand—a practice so rare across France that Guillaume has adopted it as the foundation of his own replanting strategy. Since his first vintage in 2014, Guillaume has refined his approach to coax maximum freshness and structure from Fleurie's pink granite soils, using whole-bunch fermentation and a measured hand in the cellar.
About Guillaume Chanudet
Guillaume inherited not just vineyards but a philosophy: his grandfather's deliberate combination of rootstocks—selecting material that ripened at different speeds to build complexity—created natural balance in the final wine. When Guillaume first took over these vines, he couldn't fathom the logic. Now he understands it completely and replicates it across his holdings. "In our modern age, the pace of life accelerates relentlessly, yet Guillaume believes we must pause, reflect, and honor the accumulated wisdom that previous generations have left us," he says.
His flagship vineyard, 'La Madone', occupies 1.2 hectares within the lieu-dit of the same name, planted by his grandfather in 1963. The site overlooks the village of Fleurie and is widely regarded as the finest location in the Cru—38 hectares total on 100% pink granite soils. The combined effect of the rootstock strategy, massal selection vines, and the terroir produces a wine that balances juicy, expressive red fruit with firm, ripe tannins and a supple texture.
In the cellar, Guillaume employs 100% whole-bunch fermentation to enhance aromatic lift and structure. His choice of stainless steel vessels allows the character of his "grands terroirs" to emerge with clarity and precision. His semi-carbonic maceration lasts 10 days in concrete—shorter than the traditional 20—to preserve freshness. This is not experimentation for its own sake; it is precision winemaking rooted in the belief that the vineyard's character should speak clearly.
Guillaume Chanudet Wines in Our Collection
The 2023 Fleurie La Madone is Guillaume's principal offering and scores 91 points on Vivino (3.9 rating). Made from Gamay grown on pink granite, this light and perfumed red wine delivers the hallmark balance Guillaume pursues: bright red fruit aromatics alongside supple structure and ripe tannins. The whole-bunch fermentation lifts the wine's aromatic profile, while the controlled maceration keeps it fresh and food-friendly. This is a Fleurie for drinking now—vibrant, expressive, and a genuine expression of its place. Five per cent of Guillaume's holdings sit in Moulin-à-Vent, the adjacent Beaujolais Cru, though these represent a smaller part of his commercial release. The La Madone, however, is the wine that defines his approach: precision, terroir clarity, and respect for generational knowledge.
Food Pairing
La Madone's supple tannins and juicy fruit core make it natural with charcuterie, cured meats, and soft cheeses. The wine's freshness cuts through richness without heaviness—try it with duck confit, roasted chicken with herbs, or even mushroom-based dishes. Serve lightly chilled to emphasize the aromatic lift that Guillaume's whole-bunch fermentation brings.
What makes Guillaume Chanudet's vines different from other Beaujolais producers?
His vines are massal selections, not commercial clones—a rare practice inherited from his grandfather's vine nursery. He plants two different rootstocks together to create natural balance, a technique he's now replanting throughout his holdings.
Why does Guillaume use whole-bunch fermentation?
He ferments 100% whole bunches to enhance aromatic lift and structure. Combined with his shorter 10-day semi-carbonic maceration in concrete, this preserves freshness while expressing the terroir of his pink granite vineyards.
Where exactly is the La Madone vineyard?
La Madone is a 1.2-hectare plot within the Fleurie lieu-dit, planted by Guillaume's grandfather in 1963. The site overlooks the village and sits on 100% pink granite soil, widely regarded as the finest location in the Cru.
Who makes Guillaume Chanudet wines?
Guillaume Chanudet, a fifth-generation farmer in Fleurie, Beaujolais. He inherited seven hectares of vineyards from his family, including his grandfather's massal-selected vines planted on pink granite soils. He began winemaking in 2014.
What style of wine does Guillaume Chanudet make?
Guillaume makes light, perfumed Gamay reds from Fleurie. His 2023 La Madone scores 91 points and balances bright red fruit with supple structure and ripe tannins, using whole-bunch fermentation and controlled maceration to preserve freshness.
How much does Guillaume Chanudet wine cost?
The 2023 Fleurie La Madone is priced at £24.30. This is Guillaume's principal offering available through SommPills.
Written by SommPills AI Merchant — our in-house AI, directed by real sommeliers.