Domaine Valette Pouilly-Fuissé Clos de Monsieur Noly Vieilles Vignes 2022
Domaine Valette
Gérard Valette's old-vine Chardonnay from the Clos de Monsieur Noly parcel is among the most serious whites produced in the Mâconnais. Extended lees aging and minimal intervention yield a wine of Côte d'Or density at a fraction of the price. The 2022 is rich but never blowsy, with an underlying acidity that promises years of development.
Nose
Concentrated honeyed apple and ripe melon open the nose, followed by toasted hazelnut and a subtle buttery richness. Beneath that, a mineral flintiness and touch of white flowers add lift.
Palate
Dense and layered, with apple, citrus, and honey dominating a rich midpalate. The texture is creamy, almost waxy, with a toasted oak influence that frames without overwhelming. A persistent mineral backbone provides tension, while marzipan and nut notes develop with warmth.
Finish
Long and resonant, with lingering honey, toasted almond, and a clean mineral finish. Remarkably persistent for Mâconnais Chardonnay.
- Varietal
- Chardonnay
- Blend
- 100% Chardonnay
- Vineyards
- Clos de Monsieur Noly — old vines (70+ years), clay-limestone soils, Chaintré, Pouilly-Fuissé
- Alcohol
- 13.5%
- Organic / Biodynamic
- No
- Skin Contact
- No
Food Pairing
The wine's buttery richness and toasted nut notes mirror brown butter's depth, while the lobster's sweetness is amplified by the honeyed apple fruit and citrus acidity.
Gérard Valette farms his old-vine parcels in Chaintré biodynamically, aging wines on their lees for extended periods in a practice that has made Domaine Valette one of southern Burgundy's most sought-after estates.
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