Macon/Côte Chalonnaise 2021: New Releases

This is a brilliant blend of the appellation, drawn from over 50 separate parcels, 4 of which are now actually premiers crus but produced in too small volumes to be bottled separately. In 2021 this includes Brûlés as only 2hl was produced. This all makes for a very complete and complex portrait of the region. About half the parcels are on Fuissé’s typically clay soil, with the rest on limestone and sandy schist soils. 50% of the wine is aged in oak, a small proportion of that new oak. Discrete vanilla notes set off ripe, yet cool aromas of confit lemon, floral notes and stone fruit. The rich concentration of fruit is elegantly balanced with a core of lively lemon acidity. This is the flagship wine of the estate,and performs every year.

Claudie’s father, in his days of running a plant nursery with access to a huge range of plant material, planted seven different clones of Pinot Noir in this 2.5 hectare site. Now at 45 years old, this diversity, twinned with the quality of vineyard husbandry, means the vineyard is thriving. The different clones call for pruning and harvesting at different times, but it’s an effort worth making, as the wine is texturally sophisticated, juicy, and full of Pinot nuance. So balanced and extremely drinkable.

This comes from their youngest vineyard (average age of around 15 years) right next to Marcel’s house. He says this is best opened and enjoyed while it is young. This is a vibrant, fresh and energetic cuvee with plenty of juicy peach and citrus aromas and flavours on display. If you are looking for value for money you simply cannot beat this!

This comes from three neighbouring parcels near the cellar, from vines with an average age of 45 years. The additional clay in the soil here gives added depth to this cuvée, as well as more longevity. This is such an enjoyable wine: it has ripeness and personality in spades, with a razor-sharp line of acidity slicing through to a long finish.

Marcel believes this is his best vineyard. It is a blend of older and younger vines on limestone marl soils and makes a wine with silky ripeness and plenty of freshness. It could easily come from its grander and more expensive neighbour, Pouilly-Fuissé. In 2021 it has an intensely concentrated and juicy stone fruit core which gives the wine delicious grip and bite and a long, lingering finish.

This Mercurey Vieilles Vignes comes from 3 parcels of vines with an average age of 75 years, and is a wonderful introduction to the village’s Pinots. Aromatic, fruity cherry on the nose, this has a well-balanced body, soft and supple tannins and a long, fine finish.

This premier cru, in the south of the appellation, is a south-facing sun-trap. It was the first to be picked in 2021. Its character is not unlike a Volnay - red-fruited, with a pure fruit core, lacy freshness, and just enough structure to mean it will age brilliantly, but can be enjoyed fairly young too.

Clos du Roy is one of the finest sites in Mercurey and this comes from a parcel of 55 year old vines. The 2021 shows lovely ripe plummy aromas on the nose with a touch of rose. The palate has so much fruit concentration, density and depth supported by some silky and supple tannins. At the same time, this is fresh and very well-balanced with a long, fine, saline finish.

This 2-hectare plot lies in the north of the region, and typically produces a wine with gentler acidity than the domaine’s others. Nevertheless, it is always one of the most balanced, and one of the freshest feeling. This freshness is derived from the minerality of fruit, grown on the marl soils of Uchizy. It’s a perfectly balanced Macon.