2019 Maison Valette Et Pourtant... Viré-Clessé

WINEMAKER: Philippe Valette
REGION: Burgundy, FR
VARIETAL: Chardonnay
VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic 

"The soils here are more 'Calcaire' (they contain more limestone) The nose is incredibly attractive and bursts with apple, peach, pear and hazelnuts, the impression is rich and powerful. Lovely concentration in the mouth but with the telltale freshness and lively acidity that keeps you wanting more, this is delicious. A very powerful and intense wine - it oscillates intensity - it is one to keep!" - Andrew Guard 

The domain was created in 1977, when Gérard Valette was one of the first in the area to leave the local cooperative and start bottling his own wine. After completing wine training, son Philippe joined in 1990 and then decided to convert the family's vineyards to organic farming, using biodynamic methods since 1992. The Valette's are known for their specific style, wines raised with thorough lees-contact and without racking. They have remained true to this style of winemaking since the 1950s. It is a sort of family-tradition that requires accuracy as well as painstaking detail knowledge of the indigenous yeasts and the wine’s proneness to develop reductive flavors. Again, an art.