B-21 Top Recommendation Read More
We made several new discoveries on our November visit to Burgundy, and when it comes to the undisputed value champion of the trip, Domaine du Mont Epin takes the crown. Owned and run by the Martin brothers of Domaine de la Croix Senaillet based in Davayé in the Mâcon, this is a marvelous property with thrilling potential, a contiguous domaine that sits astride a saddle at the foot of Mont Epin (hence the name), with Viré-Clessé vines facing east and the Mâcon-Péronne vines facing west.
The entire range is a lesson in precise terroir expression, starting with the L'Etoile parcel on the Mâcon-Péronne side of the saddle, often the latest ripening site on the property, resulting in a wine that walks a tightrope between deep fruit expression and vibrant personality. The 2023 L'Etoile is a "precise and balanced composition" offering "seriously broad appeal for any and all fans of great Chardonnay." The appellation 2023 Viré-Clessé is another superb value standout that also delivers classic Burgundian terroir character in its heady aromatic charm and pristine limestone signature built on "an excellent foundation of elegance and purity that puts this wine among the finest examples from the appellation." When it comes to undeniable Burgundian class and sophistication, however, their single-vineyard 2023 Viré-Clessé Breillonde is in a class all its own. The Breillonde parcel is the crown-jewel of the domaine at a mere 0.8 hectares in size, and the 60-year-old vines convey the appellation's famed limestone terroir with mesmerizing clarity, while the meticulous winemaking of Richard Martin results in a must-try expression for any Burgundy aficionado. B-21 Burgundy Buyer Andrew Kitz declares it "the single most impressive value stunner from our November trip to Burgundy ... a flat-out stunning representation of the appellation and a mind-blowing value at its price."
As impressive as the Mont Epin wines are, it was indeed the pricing that stopped us in our tracks. Savvy buyers will jump at the chance to stock up on three of white Burgundy's best hidden gems and reap the rewards for several years down the road. |