Domaine Valette Mâcon-Chaintré Cuvée Hors Classe 2022
Domaine Valette
Gérard Valette farms biodynamically and ages his wines far longer than his neighbors, producing Mâcon whites with the depth and complexity of premier cru Burgundy. The 2022 Hors Classe is a quiet revelation — proof that attentive viticulture and patience in the cellar can elevate humble origins into something extraordinary. This is terroir advocacy at its finest.
Nose
Ripe golden apple and white peach introduce themselves alongside toasted hazelnuts and a delicate honeyed richness. There's a subtle mineral quality — almost like wet chalk — with hints of meadow flowers.
Palate
Concentrated and textured, with a waxy mouthfeel that belies its Mâcon appellation. Citrus peel and green apple provide freshness, while toasted almond and a creamy nuttiness build through the midpalate. The acidity is precise and carries everything forward.
Finish
Impressively long for the appellation, with lingering citrus, a faint honeyed sweetness, and a mineral sign-off.
- Varietal
- Chardonnay
- Blend
- 100% Chardonnay
- Vineyards
- Old vine parcels in Chaintré, clay-limestone soils, biodynamically farmed
- Alcohol
- 13.5%
- Organic / Biodynamic
- No
- Skin Contact
- No
Food Pairing
A warm, golden-crusted Comté soufflé with a side of dressed frisée, its nutty, buttery richness a natural companion to the wine's toasted almond depth and honeyed texture.
Gérard Valette has farmed his family's old-vine parcels in the village of Chaintré biodynamically since the 1990s, refusing to rush his wines to market and instead aging them on lees far longer than any other producer in the Mâconnais.
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