VIRÉ-CLESSÉ > BOUCHARD Ainé & Fils

VIRÉ-CLESSÉ 2024

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2021 2022 2023 2024

Varietal

100% Chardonnay.

Tasting notes

Visual: clear and shiny pale gold.

Nose: very fruity, with citrus and white fleshed fruits notes. It also displays fresh aromas of mint and fern.

Palate: fresh and lively in the mouth, with a round finish. It is a sound and supple wine at the same time.

Food and wine pairing

This wine will be perfect paired up with creamy dishes, such as veal stews, or steamed fishes and even goat cheeses.

Serving suggestions

Ideally serve between 11°C and 13°C [52°F - 55°F]

Ageing potential

Can be enjoyed in its youth for its fruitiness. More complex aromas and flavours such as quince jam will develop with time. It will be able to age for 5 to 8 years.

Origins

A communal appellation created in 1999, producing exclusively whites from nearly 391 hectares. Viré-Clessé is the first Village appellation to be created from outstanding terroirs within the AOC Mâcon-Villages. Viré and Clessé are two communes in southern Burgundy, located between Tournus and Mâcon.

The cru is made up of two north-south slopes, bounded by the Bourbonne and Mouge valleys. They are made up of Bajocian limestone with entrochs and Oxfordian (Jurassic) marl-limestone strata. Other land at the bottom of the slopes is made up of "chailles" clay (sandstone pebbles), facing east and well drained.

- Steep slopes,
- East, south-east exposure,
- Altitude 200 m to 400 m.

Vinification and maturing

The grapes are gently pressed to extract the highest quality juice possible. The resulting must is placed in a temperature-controlled vat for settling (12 to 24 hours). This settling operation is crucial in our quest for aromatic purity. The must is then racked and placed in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats (16-18°C) for alcoholic fermentation. Ageing in stainless steel vats on lees (80%) and in oak barrels (20%) for 8 to 10 months.

Vintage : 2024

The year 2024 in Burgundy was marked by extreme weather conditions, with excessive rainfall and a significant lack of sunshine. These factors led to heavy disease pressure, particularly downy mildew, complicating the work of the winegrowers. Frost and hail also caused significant damage, particularly in regions such as Chablis and Auxerrois.

Yields were severely affected, with drops of up to 70% in some areas. The Côte Chalonnaise held up better, with more limited losses. Overall, volumes are well below the usual average, a reminder of the difficult harvests in 2021.

The late harvest necessitated rigorous sorting to preserve quality. Despite the challenges, the grapes harvested reached good ripeness thanks to a sunny spell in September. The reds stand out for their richness and concentration, comparable to great vintages such as 2010. The elegant whites are reminiscent of 2022.

Initial tastings reveal promising wines, with concentrated aromas and a fine structure. Although limited in quantity, this vintage promises to be a qualitative success.