2012 Domaine des Gandines, Vire-Clesse “Terroir de Classe” White Burgundy, France.
This fresh, young and vibrant white Burgundy from the Maconnais is a fun discovery, imported by Charles Neal Selections, this recent addition to his import portfolio is very impressive. The Maconnais has become a Burgundy hot spot in the last five years with exciting Chardonnay wines coming from Pouilly-Fuisse, Macon and Saint-Veran, as well as Vire-Clesse, there are some great areas and old vines that make for value priced wines of super quality sometimes even rivaling some of their more well known northern cousins in the Cote de Beaune. Domaine des Gandines makes a lovely expression of Vire-Clesse with vivid fruit, mineral and almost Chablis like character with plenty of juicy acidity and no signs of clumsy oak, everything is bright, tangy and pure in the “Terroir de Clesse” and this is seriously good stuff. The nose is loaded with citrus, chalk and white flower essence, leading to a palate of energy filled lime, green apple, white peaches and lemon zest, along with hints of wet river stones, steely minerals and a touch of fresh picked fig. This light to medium Chardonnay is pleasing and easy to enjoy, best to drink in the next 2 to 4 years.
($18 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive
