Magnum "Et Pourtant...", Viré-Clessé 18.20.22.23 Maison Valette | Burgundy

Maison Valette 's Viré-Clessé Et Pourtant is one of the wonderful UFOs produced by this Mâconnais icon. On parcels located in Chaintré, on the border between the Mâconnais and Beaujolais regions, the Chardonnay vines benefit from a clay-limestone soil rich in white limestone. Since 1992, the wine estate has practiced organic and biodynamic viticulture, whose philosophy of respect for the environment extends to the winery, where winemaking is entirely natural, with no chemical or oenological inputs. Unique in Burgundy, Viré Clessé Et Pourtant is deeply imbued with the tension and clay-limestone minerality of its terroir. Et Pourtant is the story of an incongruous idea in the Burgundy wine landscape: to assemble several vintages, in the manner of a Spanish solera, to push the spirit of the terroir and transcend the vintage effect.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin: At Domaine Valette, freeing ourselves from codes to let the terroir speak for itself is a true art of living, handed down from generation to generation. So when they came up with the idea ofblending different cuvées of Chardonnay with Viré Clessé to get away from the vintage effect, it was a natural success. And yet... Initially rejected by theViré-Clessé AOC approval committee for its atypical character, this cuvée was initially marketed under the name "Je suis Viré". Following regulatory constraints, it was renamed as we know it today, underlining the paradox of an exceptional Burgundy wine not recognized by the appellation.

The nose is deep, evolving elegantly with aeration: from initial delicate floral notes evoking hawthorn, acacia and lime blossom, it moves on to a fruity palette of stewed, savory orchard fruits. A hint of candied citron and hints of herbs and spices complete this formidably complex bouquet, unexpected in a Mâconnais wine.

On the palate, Maison Valette 's Viré-Clessé Et Pourtant has a rather fine attack, marked by a fine acidity that perfectly balances the richness of the Chardonnay. As it progresses, the wine develops a fuller, silkier texture that envelops the palate while retaining the vibrant tension of the Viré Clessé terroir. Flavors of roasted apple and mirabelle plum, candied citrus zest mingle harmoniously with salivating mineral touches.