Eric Forest is not only one of the top names in Vergisson, the most elite winemaking commune in the entire Mâconnais, he’s one of the most exciting talents in the whole of Burgundy–including the hallowed white wine terroirs of the Côte de Beaune. Backed by eight generations of viticultural know-how and an invaluable education from local “Mad Belgian” legend Jean-Marie Guffens, Eric is quietly crafting some of Burgundy’s most powerful, rich, terroir-packed Chardonnays. Of course, many of you already know this. Since introducing these wines to our loyal subscribers a couple of years ago, we have steadily sold out of every release. As always, this powerhouse Pouilly-Fuissés are limited, so don’t wait to pounce!
BONUS: While the “L’ÂME Forest” is limited, Eric’s top Premier Cru, “Les Crays,” is excruciatingly limited. We have just a couple of cases, click HERE to grab some before they’re gone!
Eric’s modest seven-hectare estate is located in the aforementioned powerhouse village of Vergisson and many of his vines are family heirlooms, aged between 40-90 years. In 2000 he officially launched his own eponymous estate, using this collection of vineyards that he cobbled together from his ancestral forbearers who have been farming here in the Mâcon for eight generations. His own accession corresponded with a renaissance of quality throughout the region, a place that for decades had been known mostly for large, industrial scale white wines that were the supermarket little siblings to the more serious wines up the road in the Côte de Beaune. Today the entire Mâconnais region hosts a small cadré of both established names (Lafon, Leflaive, Jadot) and scrappy young talents like Eric himself. However, the very best vines and terroir lie between the giant, jutting rock escarpments of Vergisson and Solutré–which is where the “Forest” vines are found.
Understanding that he’s equipped with some of the region’s finest raw material, Eric farms his parcels with organic and biodynamic principles. “L’ÂME Forest” which translates to “the soul of the Forest,” is a blend of four cooler plots around the iconic Roche de Vergisson that are farmed and harvested entirely by hand. In the cellar, the grapes ferment in new and used French oak and age 15 months on lees. An unfined and unfiltered bottling occurs via gravity—no pumps–in order to showcase that pure, limestone terroir.
Even if you forgo a decant (I recommend 30 minutes), this springs out of a Burgundy stem with lush aromas of yellow peach, quince, baked yellow apple, lime blossom, stirred lees, buttered toast, crushed white rock, baking spice, vanilla bean, and salt-preserved lemon. The palate is medium-bodied and opulent while delivering the sort of tension and mineral precision that one routinely associates with Puligny-Montrachet. This is grade-A white Burgundy, without question! Serve with a classic roast chicken, and enjoy your bottles now and over the next five years.
