White Burgundy is revered around the world as one of the best white wines on the planet. It is made from 100% Chardonnay, and the Grand Crus of the Côtes de Beaune are serious juice, usually aged in oak and providing a significant white wine experience. In the more southern appellations, the use of oak is far more restrained, as it also is in Chablis. The southernmost part of Burgundy is the Mâconnais, which is just to the north of Beaujolais. Here, the whites generally see little oak, if any. They are crisp and refreshing wines, but still complex. The Chardonnays of the Mâconnais are among our favorites. You can see a good map of the Burgundy wine areas by clicking here.
We have two whites from the Mâconnais to review, both from Georges Duboeuf. One sees no oak, the other just a touch. Here they are:
Wine: 2018 Georges Duboeuf Pouilly-Fuissé
Winery Location: Mâconnais, Southern Burgundy, France
Tasted By: Neil & Cheri Date: August 2020
Tasting Notes: The wine is very brilliant, and light golden in color. On the nose it is delicate, with a little ripe apricot, vanilla bean and some floral notes. This is not a fruit bomb, but much more subtle. On the palate you get some ripe fruit, and the wine is richly textured. Minerality comes through. It is very well balanced and finishes long. 13% alcohol and very fresh. Ten percent of this spends some time in new French oak barrels. This is an excellent wine.
Price Point – $39.99 Suggested Retail Price
Would We Buy It? – Maybe. This is a bit pricey, but is also an excellent wine, and we judge it to be fairly priced. Pouilly-Fuissé is a great area for clean and crisp Chardonnay, and this is a top example.
And the second wine:
Wine: 2018 Georges Duboeuf Mâcon-Villages
Winery Location: Mâconnais, Southern Burgundy, France
Tasted By: Neil & Cheri Date: August 2020
Tasting Notes: also a very brilliant wine, this is light golden in color. There are aromas of apple, citrus and flowers. It is fresh and clean on the palate, with good acid and great lemon notes at the finish.
Price Point – $22.99 Suggested Retail Price
Would We Buy It? – Probably. This is a really clean and quality driven white from one of our favorite areas. It is appropriately priced, and definitely worth trying.
It’s no surprise that both of these wines are very well made and represent a beautiful, clean Chardonnay experience. If you don’t like the heavy oak, or the buttery tones, then these are wines you should try.
A votre santé!
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