# Mâcon-Verzé Les Chênes (2024)

- **Producer:** Domaines Leflaive
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, apple, grapefruit, blossom, toast, pastry

## About this wine

Domaines Leflaive, a name synonymous with world-class white Burgundies from Puligny-Montrachet, extends its meticulous biodynamic philosophy to the Mâconnais region with this exquisite Mâcon-Verzé Les Chênes. This wine represents a pure expression of Chardonnay from a specific 3.43-hectare vineyard site named "Les Chênes" in the Verzé valley. What makes this wine truly distinctive is the producer's unwavering commitment to quality: while the grapes are harvested and pressed in Verzé, the must is then transported daily to the main cellars in Puligny-Montrachet. Here, under the expert guidance of the domain's technical team, it undergoes fermentation and aging, ensuring it benefits from the same rigorous standards applied to their more famous Côte de Beaune Grand Crus. The result is a wine characterized by great purity, floral and mineral notes, and significant energy and vivacity, showcasing the unique terroir of Mâcon-Verzé through the lens of a legendary producer.

## Interesting facts

- Domaine Leflaive, a legendary producer, applies its Grand Cru expertise and biodynamic principles to this Mâcon-Verzé.
- Despite being produced in Mâcon-Verzé, the grape must is transported daily to Puligny-Montrachet for fermentation and aging.
- The 'Les Chênes' vineyard boasts ancient vines, with some plantings dating back as far as 1936.
- The wine is aged in a unique combination of stainless steel, cement tanks, and a small portion of new oak barrels.

## Food pairing

This Mâcon-Verzé, crafted with Domaines Leflaive's precision, offers a beautiful balance of vibrant fruit, refreshing acidity, and underlying minerality. Its medium body and pronounced intensity make it a versatile partner for a range of dishes. It complements the richness of roasted chicken and seafood without overpowering them, while its clean, zesty profile cuts through the creaminess of goat cheese, creating a harmonious balance. The subtle hints of toast and pastry from its aging process can also beautifully integrate with slightly richer preparations, enhancing the overall dining experience.

## Wine making process

The winemaking journey for Domaines Leflaive's Mâcon-Verzé Les Chênes begins in the vineyard, where biodynamic farming practices are strictly adhered to. Grapes are harvested entirely by hand, followed by careful sorting and selection to ensure optimal ripeness. The vinification process starts with a long and gentle pneumatic pressing, after which the must undergoes a 24-hour decanting period. For the 2024 vintage, fermentation was conducted in a thoughtful mix of vessels: 55% in stainless steel tanks, 42% in cement tanks, and a small 3% in new oak barrels. Both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations are completed. The wine then undergoes an extensive aging period of 15 to 16 months in total. The initial 10 months are spent on its lees in the fermentation vessels (stainless steel, cement, and barrels), followed by racking into stainless steel tanks for an additional 6 months of aging on fine lees. A very light filtration may be performed if deemed necessary, ensuring the wine's clarity while preserving its intrinsic character.