2023 Domaine Robert-Denogent Macon-Villages

Jean-Jacques Robert took over five hectares of his grandfather's vines in the Mâconnais just outside the village of Fuissé after finishing law school in 1988. Under the influence of Marcel Lapierre and Kermit Lynch, he introduced radical changes to realize the domaine's full potential, now joined by his sons Nicolas and Antoine. This Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay, sometimes called "Les Sardines" after the label, is made with fruit from Verzé and Chamay from vines approximately 30 years old. The wine is aged in barrique for 18 to 24 months, creating a more immediately approachable style than their age-worthy Pouilly-Fuissés while maintaining the trademark Robert-Denogent acidity.

$42.00

Sale Sold out

Specs

Type: White

Grapes: Chardonnay

Vintage: 2023

Geography

Country: France

Region: Burgundy

Vineyard: Les Sardines

Farming

Biodynamic (certified). Respect for biodiversity with minimal interventions and limited use of sulfur. Root vegetables planted in the vineyards. Very old vines maintained throughout some plots, including vines over 100 years old. All vines on American rootstock. Improved grafting methods implemented to address esca issues.

Harvest

Indigenous yeasts from grapes, stems, and the chai; stem inclusion depends on the vintage

Fermentation

Natural vinification without input and very little intervention; slow and long macerations; no débourbage performed, resulting in more lees

Aging

Direct press with slow and gentle pressing; aged 18-24 months on fine lees in various vessels including 228-litre Burgundy barrels, 350, 400, 500-litre barrels, 600-litre demi-muids, foudres, stainless steel vats, ovoid concrete vats, amphora, and enamel; oxygen exposure allowed at pressing; barrels not topped-up frequently; no fining or filtration; minimal added sulfur