Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jasper Morris
A similar colour with a green streak, and quite a steely nose. Here the weight of the fruit sits at the back of the palate, ripe citrus notes, otherwise white fruit, plenty of energy, not too much sucrosity, relatively classic. Drink from 2025-2029.
Barrel Sample: 89-91 -
Vinous
The 2023 Viré-Clessé has a lively bouquet with more yellow fruit than the other cuvées and touches of beeswax that develop in the glass. The palate is poised on the entry, lightly spiced with impressive harmony, a "fluid" Viré-Clessé with a persistent finish. A notch above the 2022.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Inhabiting the best of the upper half of the Mâconnais, Viré-Clessé, created from the delineation of the two top Mâcon Villages, produces lively, charming and full-bodied whites (of Chardonnay). Lemon balm, verbena, white peach, and mint evolve with graceful age to quince jam, spice, pine and brown butter. The aromatic intensity of Viré-Clessé suits itself to herb-laden poultry, as well as sautéed shrimp or vegetables. It is also the perfect partner to Camembert or goat cheese.