Description
Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau, Pouilly-Fuissé, “Pastoral”
Long overlooked, the Mâcon region of southern Burgundy has become a hotbed of exciting new projects and a prime source of high quality and excellent value Chardonnay for in-the-know wine lovers. Frantz Chagnoleau has been leading the charge here for well over a decade now, aided by his wife Caroline Gon who’s day job is winemaker at perhaps the most famous Mâcon estate, Héritiers du Comte Lafon. Indeed, the influence of the iconic Dominique Lafon is clear: these are pure, mineral driven and terroir transparent Burgundies. Farming is certified organic and the winemaking is clean and minimalist in nature. Aging is done mostly in large, neutral barrels as Frantz and Caroline seek to minimize any overt oak influence. These wines are some of the most exciting values in White Burgundy, and they are even more compelling given the excellent, though very tiny, 2021 vintage.
A blend of four different parcels in Vergisson, widely considered the top vineyard site in the Mâcon. All of the vines are over 60 years old and sit on very thin topsoil over a bed of rocky limestone at elevations of 300-350 meters. This is one of the few Chagnoleau cuvées that sees a bit of new oak (20%), because it has the power and structure to handle it. Decant for 30 minutes or more and enjoy classic notes of lemon curd, orchard fruits, hazelnut, bay leaf and citrus with a rich texture that is perfectly balanced by zippy acidity and lots of saline minerality. Serve at about 50 degrees in a Burgundy stem. Enjoy now to 2030.
