VIRÉ-CLESSÉ `L'ÉPINET`

VIRÉ-CLESSÉ
"L'ÉPINET" 2023

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2023

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay.

Tasting notes

Colour: yellow with golden highlights.

Nose: a charming blend of white fruit (peach, pear) and citrus zest, notably grapefruit.

Palate: mineral and complex, with hints of brioche. After a few years in the cellar, it becomes rounder, with aromas of quince, apricot and dried fruit.

Wine and food pairing

With its aromatic complexity, this wine is ideal as an aperitif and goes well with goat's cheese, marbled ham, seafood and Burgundian dishes such as oeufs en meurette or snails. It also goes well with fish, shellfish, sautéed vegetables, creamy risotto, soft cheeses and desserts such as clafoutis. Its minerality makes it perfect with spicy or Asian dishes. As it ages, it goes well with poularde de Bresse with cream, veal chop with chanterelles or pike-perch with beurre blanc.

Serving temperature

Enjoy ideally between 11 and 13°C / 52-55°F.

Ageing potential

Enjoy when young for its fruitiness, or wait a few years for its quince jam notes. Can be kept for 5 to 8 years.

Origin

This local appellation was created in 1999 and produces exclusively white wines from nearly 391 hectares. Viré-Clessé is the first Village appellation to be created from outstanding terroirs in the Mâcon-Villages AOC. Viré and Clessé are two communes in southern Burgundy, located between Tournus and Mâcon. The cru is made up of two north-south slopes, bounded by the Bourbonne and Mouge valleys.

Located between the villages of Viré and Montbellet, to the north of the appellation, the ‘L'Épinet’ climat enjoys a south-easterly exposure on a mid-slope. The soils are deep, slightly sloping and strewn with pebbles from a fault above. Beneath a 30 to 40 cm layer of brown earth are red siliceous clays. This area is often harvested at the end of the harvest due to its later ripening. The vines here are generous and produce particularly mineral wines.

Vinification and maturing

The grapes are gently pressed to extract the highest quality juice possible. The resulting must is placed in a temperature-controlled vat for settling (12 to 24 hours). This settling operation is crucial in our quest for aromatic purity. The must is then racked and placed in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats (16-18°C) for alcoholic fermentation. Ageing on the lees, part in oak barrels for 8 to 10 months, followed by assembly.

Vintage : 2023

The ideal weather conditions in Burgundy in 2023, characterised by a favourable spring, a hot summer with cool nights, moderate rainfall and an early autumn harvest, played a key role in the high yields and exceptional quality of the grapes at harvest time.

The white wines are distinguished by their elegance, complexity and liveliness. Subtle aromas of white fruit, citrus and floral notes add to their remarkable freshness.

The red wines are powerful and well-balanced, with aromas of red and black fruits, as well as spicy and mineral nuances. The silky tannins add an elegant structure, promising harmonious ageing.

In short, these are expressive, fruity wines with very fine aromatic profiles.

VIRÉ-CLESSÉ "L'ÉPINET" 2023