FRANCE
BURGUNDY-CÔTE MACONNAIS
DOMAINE SÉBASTIAN GIROUX, CÔTE MACONNAIS (FUISSÉ)
Yves Giroux created this estate in 1973 from divided paternal vines. Since 2009, his son Sébastien has presided over the destinies of this 7ha chardonnay vineyard, after a career in the automobile industry. Here, Sébastien makes three appellations: Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru, Pouilly-Fuissé, Pouilly-Loché and Mâcon-Fuissé.
Giroux’s goal is to understand and express the subtleties of the soils through his wines. He achieves this by finding a harmonious balance between the soil and the vine, without disrespecting the environment in which they function. This interaction between soil, vine & environment is what we now today call ‘terroir’. The understanding of the interdependent parts is the key to successful winemaking.
At Domaine Giroux there is no rush in the wine production. The quality of the vintage dictates both the processes and the duration. There are of course standard practices but Giroux is content to leave the wines (either on the lees or simply to mature) for as long as is necessary before bottling. When the wine is ready, Giroux will bottle and even then he does not rush to the market. He releases the wines when he deems them ready to drink. We see this in his lovely 2019 and 2020 vintages. Most other growers are now selling 2021. There is depth as well as Pouilly charm. This is an estate to watch.
First introduced in early 2022, Giroux’s wines have been very well received here and we have now extended our range to include his impressive 1er Cru ‘les Radillons’, plus his mouth-watering Macon-Fuissé ‘Vers Chanes’. The Pouilly-Fuissé 2019 (arriving this year) is simply outstanding.
POUILLY-FUISSÉ
White
Ref.: Y0000107 Vintage: 2018
Grape Varietals: Chardonnay
MACON-FUISSÉ VERS CHANES
White
Ref.: Y0000190 Vintage: 2021
Grape Varietals: Chardonnay
POUILLY-FUISSÉ 1er CRU LES RAIDILLONS
White
Ref.: Y0000191 Vintage: 2019
Grape Varietals: Chardonnay
DOMAINE GUILLEMOT-MICHEL, QUINTAINE - CLESSÉ
Domaine Guillemot – Michel is a 6.5 ha (16acres) family vineyard in the heart of the Viré-Clessé appellation, in southern Burgundy. The estate is fully biodynamic since 1992; one of the first in France.
“As I’ve written before, this seven-hectare estate in the hamlet of Quintaine is one of the best producers in the Mâconnais and deserves to be much better known. Pierrette Guillemot’s father was one of the founders of the Viré-Clessé cooperative, but she and her husband, Marc, elected to quit in 1985, converting first to organic and then, in 1991, to biodynamic farming. In 2013, their daughter Sophie joined the team, followed by her husband, Gautier Roussille (author, inter alia, of an impressive guide to Sake). All of the domaine’s holdings are planted with massale selections of Chardonnay, with the oldest vines dating back to 1918. Like their neighbours, the Thévenets, the Guillemots harvest ripe grapes, fermenting and maturing the wines on the lees at their own pace. These are honeyed, concentrated wines that are imbued with remarkable concentration and energy and develop beautifully in the cellar. Their strong personality is a world away from the insipid and ephemeral whites that shape many consumers’ perceptions of the region, but that is precisely why they merit attention. Anyone visiting the domaine can’t fail to be struck by the meticulousness that the Guillemot family bring to all their endeavours—whether it’s their vegetable garden, their immaculately restored farmhouse-winery or their wines. But of course, it isn’t necessary to visit—you can taste the results in the glass. – William Kelley” - The Wine Advocate (, June 30th 2020).
Their Viré-Clessé ‘Quintaine’ is beautifully expressive, unoaked, with yellow fruits, orange blossom, smoke & flint. Thick and saline on entry, then seriously deep in the mid-palate, with suggestions of exotic fruits perfectly countered by strong minerality. This wine strikes a perfect balance between sweet and salty elements and it shows vibrant acidity. It boasts a density that few other northern Mâconnais can match. The 2018 vintage is ‘a point’ (as the French say) . . . drinking perfectly now.
VIRÉ-CLESSÉ "QUINTAINE"
White
Ref.: Y0000096 Vintage: 2018
Grape Varietals: Chardonnay
DOMAINE CORSIN,
DAVAYÉ-POUILLY
Domaine Corsin has a long held reputation for being the finest source in the region for the wines of Saint Véran and Pouilly-Fuissé. Established in 1864, the domaine was among the first to label the wines as Pouilly-Fuissé and Mâcon blanc. Joseph Jacquet, the founder of the domaine, had only two hectares of Chardonnay when he started making wine. In 1971, with the advent of the Saint Véran appellation, Joseph’s grandson André acquired new vineyards in Davayé and Pouilly-Fuissé. His two sons, Jean-Jacques and Gilles, subsequently joined him in the family business. Jean- Jacques Corsin, who has recently retired, has passed along his calm and deliberate manner to his son Jeremy Corsin. Today, the domaine, now in its sixth generation, owns 13.6 hectares of Chardonnay in the Mâconnais.
The domaine’s Saint-Véran “Vieilles Vignes” vines now average 30-35 years and while this has always been a consistent performer over the years, vintages 2014 - 2020 are showing impressive quality and depth. The 2019 colour is that of very pale yellow gold, brilliant and crystal-clear. The nose develops subtle fruit aromas (peach, pear) or acacia and honeysuckle, often over notes of fresh almond, hazelnut, cinnamon, butter, and sometimes honey. Exotic fruits are sometimes present, as are citrus notes (orange peel). On the palate, this white wine is dry and well-rounded, mineral (gun-flint) and lively from the first attack. Acidity and fatness come increasingly into play. The structure is harmonious, fresh and round.
We have been buying from Corsin since 1991 and have purchased every vintage since. More than any other source I can think of, this is an address that has consistently produced high quality white Burgundy, at prices that are comparatively modest.
SAINT-VÉRAN "VIEILLES VIGNES"
White
Ref.: Y0000027 Vintage: 2019
Grape Varietals: Chardonnay
NEW THÉO DANCER, ROC BREÏA
In addition to taking over the family Domaine and continuing the work his father has taught him, Théo has started his own project. This project is a 10.5ha holding in Breia, in the Macon region (growing to 20ha by the end of 2023). There are just two wines – a Chardonnay (60 year old plus vines) and a Pinot Noir (average 35 years vines).
This project is Théo’s alone and his individualism is very much expressed here. His father’s coaching and philosophy count for much, but the wines are Théo’s expression. The wines exude purity, freshness and crystalline fruit. While Théo is not his father, the talent and pedigree are clear to see. In this, his first vintage (2021), Théo Dancer’s star is already assured.
Chardonnay: - Théo’s Chardonnay offers up inviting aromas of orchard fruit and orange oil, mingled with nuances of freshly baked bread, saline stoniness, beeswax and nutmeg. Medium-bodied, fleshy and incisive, with tangy acids and a long, saline finish, it's a terrific début effort for this new project. Maturation was in used 500-litre barrels.
Pinot Noir: - The Pinot Noir is just as charming as its white counterpart, bursting with aromas of red berries, raspberry, rose petals, and orange rind. Medium-bodied, open, and supple, with melting tannins and a lively, succulent profile. It will drink well on release. The Pinot Noir was vinified with some 50% whole bunch this year, followed by maturation in large used barrels.
ROC BREIA CHARDONNAY
White
Ref.: Y0000193 Vintage: 2021
Grape Varietals: Chardonnay
ROC BREIA PINOT NOIR
Red
Ref.: Y0000194 Vintage: 2021
Grape Varietals: Pinot Noir