Three 2012 Macon Chardonnays

The Maconnais region of southern Burgundy has long been one of my go-to areas for good Chardonnay at less cost than the Cote d’Or. I’d never tried any wines from Domaine Cordier or Domaine Cristophe Cordier, which are imported by Bobby Kacher, but I enjoyed these three selections. 

The Chardonnay crop in the Macon dropped slightly from 2011, but the acidity tends to be slightly higher than 2011. I need to explore many more white Burgundies from this vintage, but so far I like what I’ve tasted.

My notes...

2012 Domaine Christophe Cordier Viré-Clessé Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Viré-Clessé

SRP: $27
Aromas of golden pear and peach, nutty, flora. Creamy, honeyed texture, some pear and baked apple, peach and honey. Slight mineral tones. Easy-drinking, fresh but also rich (aged in 10% new French oak). Rides that Chardonnay middle ground very well. (87 points)

2012 Domaine Christophe Cordier Mâcon Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Mâcon

SRP: $20
A bright golden color. Honeydew and cantaloupe melon on the nose, some honey and bright floral tones. Medium acid, a lighter approach on the mouth, the lemon and grapefruit peel mix with notes of apricot. Some sharp mineral and oyster shell tones, with just a bit of honeycomb. Not incredibly deep or long but it’s put together well and would be a great summer sipper. (86 points)

2012 Domaine Cordier Père et Fils Pouilly-Fuissé - France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Pouilly-Fuissé

SRP: $26
Light gold color. Bright lime and dusty chalk on the nose, along with rich papaya and honey. Crisp acid, lots of minerality and stony, chalky aspects. The fruit combo of fresh lime and papaya works very well. An underlying minerality and freshness, but plenty of bold, richer elements. (90 points)