# Mâcon-Verzé Les Chênes (2023)

- **Producer:** Domaines Leflaive
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.9%
- **Average price:** €45
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** nectarine, honeysuckle, orange, grapefruit, vanilla, toast

## About this wine

Domaines Leflaive, a highly respected producer historically based in Puligny-Montrachet, extended its renowned expertise to the Mâconnais region in 2003 with the acquisition of parcels in Mâcon-Verzé. This Mâcon-Verzé Les Chênes 2023 vintage showcases the producer's commitment to quality and biodynamic viticulture in a distinct terroir. The wine originates from a 3.43-hectare lieu-dit named "Les Chênes" in the Verzé valley, featuring west-facing slopes and shallow clay-limestone soils. The vineyard boasts a diverse range of vine ages, with some plantings dating back to 1936, contributing significantly to the wine's depth and complexity. This particular vintage received 91 points from Wine Spectator, highlighting its opulent yet well-defined character.

## Interesting facts

- Domaines Leflaive, a top Puligny-Montrachet producer, expanded to Mâcon-Verzé in 2003.
- The vineyard includes old Chardonnay vines planted as early as 1936.
- The wine is farmed biodynamically, reflecting Leflaive's commitment to sustainability.
- Only 250 cases of this vintage were imported into the United States.

## Food pairing

This Mâcon-Verzé Chardonnay's medium-plus body, pronounced intensity, and medium-plus acidity, coupled with its rich texture and mineral finish, make it highly versatile. It excels with dishes that mirror its richness without overwhelming its delicate fruit and salty tang. Creamy sauces, roasted poultry, and richer fish dishes provide a harmonious balance, allowing the wine's complexity to shine through while complementing the food's flavors.

## Wine making process

The viticulture for Mâcon-Verzé Les Chênes is meticulously managed using biodynamic practices, ensuring the health and vitality of the vineyard. Grapes are harvested manually, with careful sorting to select only the highest quality fruit, and harvest timing is precisely optimized by monitoring the ripeness of individual parcels. The vinification process begins with a long, gentle pneumatic pressing, followed by 24 hours of decanting. Both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations are carried out in a combination of vessels, including stainless steel vats, large oak foudres, concrete tanks, and 600L barrels. The wine then undergoes an initial aging period of 10 months on its lees in these fermentation vessels, followed by an additional 6 months of aging in stainless steel tanks on fine lees. Fining is an optional step, and a light filtration may be performed if deemed necessary before bottling.