Domaine Guffens-Heynen : Mâcon-Pierreclos "Le Chavigne" 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Mâcon-Pierreclos "Le Chavigne" 2023 Domaine Guffens-Heynen

Tasting notes

Colour
This white wine from France reveals a brilliant colour.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet expresses notes of white stone fruit such as pear, mingled with scents of white flowers and citrus zest with a slightly waxy texture.

Palate
With a medium to full body, this wine offers a silky texture supported by a vibrant fruity core. The tasting ends on a saline, mineral finish, carried by a bright and persistent acidic backbone that gives it a lovely tension.

Food and wine pairing

Ideal as an aperitif, this white wine also pairs wonderfully with poultry in cream sauce, goat cheese, as well as seafood or white fish. Light meats such as roasted quail also make an excellent choice. It is, however, best avoided with overly spicy or very sweet dishes.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate the Mâcon-Pierreclos "Le Chavigne" 2023, it is recommended to serve it at a cool cellar temperature, between 11 and 13°C. Decanting is generally not necessary in its youth. This wine is built to age gracefully over long periods.

Other characteristics

This wine stands out for its moderate alcohol level, balanced by a high concentration of dry extract and remarkable acidity.

The authentic expression of the Mâconnais limestone terroir by Domaine Guffens-Heynen

The estate

Founded in 1979 by Belgians Jean-Marie Guffens and Maine Heynen, Domaine Guffens-Heynen is located in France, in the Burgundy region. This artisanal estate of around 5.65 hectares became known for showcasing challenging terroirs that were often overlooked. Today, Jean-Marie Guffens still heads the estate and oversees winemaking, supported by his daughter Margaux, who is taking on increasing responsibilities, as well as by winemaker Julien Desplans. The estate is renowned for its uncompromising approach and its quest for the true expression of terroir.

The vineyard

The Mâcon-Pierreclos comes from the "Le Chavigne" plot, a steep vineyard with slopes exceeding 40%. Facing southwest, these vines benefit from a significant temperature swing between day and night. The soil consists of subsoils rich in clay and hard limestone. The plot is home to a wide diversity of vines, ranging from young plantings to pre-phylloxera vines nearly eighty years old.

The vintage

The year 2023 was marked by difficult weather conditions due to extreme heat. These very high temperatures caused ripening to stall in several plots and led to water stress, resulting in particularly low yields at harvest.

Winemaking and aging

To craft the Mâcon-Pierreclos "Le Chavigne" 2023, only the first free-run juice from the lower part of the vineyard is retained. Extraction is carried out very gently using a modified Coquard-type press. Fermentation is triggered by indigenous yeasts in barrels. Aging is then punctuated by several rounds of lees stirring, before bottling secured with technical cork stoppers.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay.