Frantz Chagnoleau Macon Villages Clos Saint Pancras 2024
Frantz Chagnoleau Saint Veran Prelude 2023 Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau is a small estate run by two talented winemakers, Frantz Chagnoleau and his wife Caroline Gon (winemaker at Héritiers du Comte Lafon from 2006-2022). Frantz has a degree in Oenology and cut his teeth working for Olivier Merlin in the Mâconnais. Since 2013 all of the vineyards have been certified organic. As with Lafon, this dynamic duo believe in minimal intervention, which includes the use of only indigenous yeast, as the best way to express the nuances of each unique terroir. Aging is done in mostly large, used French oak, harvest is done completely by hand on a plot by plot basis, allowing each vine to achieve the appropriate balance of sugar and acidity before being picked. This dynamic duo is one of the most talented teams in all of Burgundy, farming the old-fashioned way and making micro-quantities of single vineyard White Burgundy from some of the finest Chardonnay terroir in the world. "Frantz Chagnoleau is a relatively recent name in the constellation of Maconnais stars but his wines shine as bright as anybody's." Jasper Morris MW “…stunningly good Saint-Véran that transcends its category…” Stephen Tanzer, Vinous. “…their Saint-Véran got me entertaining the idea of Premier Cru status being extended to this appellation.On the other hand, not all winemakers have the aptitude and talent of this pair." Neal Martin, Vinous Blend of parcels in Chasselas and Prissé; Chasselas parcels are red clay soils with limestone and the Prissé soils being very stony with high levels of active limestone. South west exposure, 300-350m asl. 40 year old vines planted at 9,000 vines/ha. Wholebunch pressed to demi-muids (600L) and foudre with 5% new oak. Those of you who have been won over by the beautifully pristine expressions of Maconnais Chardonnay from Jessica Litaud would be remiss to overlook this bottling from Frantz Chagnoleau. This is dynamite on the nose – a plethora of yellow orchard fruits, chalk, iodine and a lovely mealiness that sits seamlessly in the core of fruit and oak. The carry through the palate is exceptional, with the turbo fruit running a merry dance alongside a tenacious acid line, bitter lemon, quince, white grapefruit finishing in a neat little package. Exceptionally well made and Macon 2024s look to be the sleeper of all of the latest Burgundian releases! Stunning White Burgundy at a fraction of the price of it's Cote d'Or counterparts!