Long overlooked, the Mâcon region of southern Burgundy has become a hotbed of exciting new projects and a prime source of high quality and excellent value Chardonnay for in-the-know wine lovers. Frantz Chagnoleau has been leading the charge here for well over a decade now, aided by his wife Caroline Gon who’s day job is winemaker at perhaps the most famous Mâcon estate, Héritiers du Comte Lafon. Indeed, the influence of the iconic Dominique Lafon is clear: these are pure, mineral driven and terroir transparent Burgundies. Farming is certified organic and the winemaking is clean and minimalist in nature. Aging is done mostly in large, neutral barrels as Frantz and Caroline seek to minimize any overt oak influence. These wines are some of the most exciting values in White Burgundy, and they are even more compelling given the excellent, though very tiny, 2021 vintage.

From small parcel of 50 to 75 year old vines on a steep hill with clay overtop of limestone that is loaded with marine fossils. This is bright, mineral driven Chardonnay with loads of lemon zest, crunchy apple and white pepper. Serve at 45 to 50 degrees in a Burgundy stem and enjoy with a plate of raw oysters on the half shell. Drinking window: now to 2030. Only 80 cases of this beauty were made!