It’s difficult to overstate the magic from the Mâcon region in Burgundy, such is the quality and value of Chardonnay found here. ‘It often reminds me of the Côte d’Or 20-years ago,’ says Neal Martin, where ‘winemakers just make wine’.
Both Chardonnays on offer today come from biodynamically farmed vineyards in this picturesque region. They’re crafted by female winemakers, from terroirs that ‘can compete with the Côte d’Or’ (Vinous).
The inviting Joseph Drouhin Mâcon-Bussières Les Clos 2021 hails from the village of Bussières on Mont du Mâconnais, close to Pouilly-Fuissé. 2021 was a classical vintage, and this wine shows the energy and elegance associated with Drouhin – one of Burgundy’s foremost ambassadors.
Mâcon-Villages Blanc 2022
R 495
Mâcon-Bussières Les Clos 2021
R 395
The Héritiers du Comte Lafon Mâcon-Villages Blanc 2022 is among our go-to Chardonnays and ‘offers spectacular value’, writes Decanter. It’s a blend of fruit from Viré-Clessé, Uchizy, Viré, Chardonnay and Bussières, including declassified single-vineyard sites. Fill your boots!
‘The Maconnais has a wellspring of delicious and affordable Chardonnay that it could be argued is only now demonstrating what it’s finest terroirs can achieve.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous
Tasting Notes:
Héritiers du Comte Lafon Mâcon-Villages Blanc 2022
‘The entry-level wine from Lafon’s Mâconnais operation offers spectacular value. The bottling includes grapes from Viré-Clessé, Uchizy, Viré, Chardonnay and Bussières, including grapes declassified from single-vineyard sites. The grapes are pressed as whole clusters and fermented in large, upright wooden foudres before ageing for six months. Although the wine in 2022 did not have a lot of malic acid, it still has a lovely freshness and equilibrium.’ – Charles Curtis MW, Decanter, 92/100
