Domaine Fichet Macon Ige Chateau London 2009

Olivier Fichet has devoted his life to farming and growing the reputation of his beloved vineyards in the Maconnais. Since taking over from their father, the brothers have increased the size of their holdings from 11 to 20ha and have raised the quality level of their wines significantly. Olivier Fichet stands alone in the town of Ige. He is one of only three producers in the village, as the others include the town's cooperative and a single winemaker that simply bottles for local consumption. Established in 1976, Domaine Fichet started when Francis Fichet (Olivier's father) withdrew from the town co-op and began to make wines from his estate vineyards. In their youth, Oliver and his brother Pierre-Yves worked side-by-side with their father; tending to the vines and land that they own today. In 1990 the brothers took full control of the winery and began to broaden the Domaine's holdings: Oliver is in charge of all the wine making and vinification, while Pierre-Yves handles all the vineyard work. The lieu dit "Chateau London" is one of the oldest and most reputable terroirs in the Maconnais, due largely to its unique white limestone content, with chalk and clay; and to the microclimate that brings extra humidity and morning fog. Francis Fichet was one of the first to plant Pinot Noir in the Chardonnay dominant region. His original plantings are now over 30 years old and are blended with Pinot that Pierre-Yves planted in 1994. This is a very high quality offering at this price.