Domaine Chanson

Viré-Clessé 2018

Viré-Clessé, Burgundy

Download

Chanson’s regional wine, Viré Clessé is one of the best white wines of the region, combining suppleness and minerality. The appellation lies in the heart of the Mâcon appellation in the south of Burgundy. The two villages, Viré and Clessé form a unique terroir on south-east facing slopes. In Viré, the soil is chalky with large layers of clay. In Clessé, the soil structure is slightly different, with a combination of chalk and clay mixed with liasic marls combined with oyster-fossils, giving the wine an underlying minerality. It’s produced from a combination of Chardonnay and Chardonnay Muscaté grapes. 

VINEYARD

The two villages, Viré and Clessé form a unique terroir on south-east facing slopes. In Viré, the soil is chalky with large layers of clay. In Clessé, the soil structure is slightly different, with a combination of chalk and clay mixed with liasic marls combined with oyster-fossils, giving the wine an underlying minerality.

WINEMAKING

The wine is for the most part left alone, as the philosophy is one of “infusion rather than construction.” The wine is vinified 100% whole cluster to extract a deeper color and enhance the structure and aromatic complexity. The major condition is that the grapes must be perfect in terms of ripeness and condition. Chanson also strives to maximize the preservation of fresh fruit characteristics, which is why grapes are chilled immediately on arrival in a proprietary tunnel that provides a very quick chill with no oxygen exposure. Then, Champagne-style fractional pressing is practiced to gently extract the purest juice. Oak is used conservatively, with no more than 20% for the whites.

VINTAGE

Jean-Pierre Confuron, Chanson’s winemaker, describes the 2018 vintage as follows: “an extraordinary vintage in every sense. The growing season veered from too wet to too hot and finally too dry, which made deciding when to pick a real challenge. We ultimately decided to begin on the 1st of September with our domaine vineyards. Yields were quite variable though overall quite good and potential alcohols were also varied at between 13 and 14.5%. As we usually do, the vinifications were done using 100% whole clusters for all the wines, save for the Nuits villages because it was hailed on, and thankfully, there were no difficulties with stoppages.”

Overall we can say that the wines produced in 2018 express the richness and pleasantness of the vintage while keeping the elegance and the balance that Domaine Chanson is known for.

TASTING NOTE

Pale gold colour. Delicate fragrances of fern mixed with citrus fruit on a hint of minerality. Well balanced and precise. Tense with a very pure fruit combination. Refreshing finish with mineral tinges

FOOD PAIRING

A fine, dry apéritif, great with light seafood and raw vegetable hors d’oeuvres.

Color

White

Grape Varieties

Chardonnay

Appellation

Viré-Clessé, Burgundy

Alcohol

13.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$24.00

Reviews

"Juiciness with elegance"

Wine Enthusiast - July 10, 2020 "A gentle note of freshness, made up of lemon and Mirabelle, characterizes the nose on this wine. Hints of cold butter and chalk add nuance. The palate is rounded, ripe but beautifully balanced, carrying its juiciness with elegance."

More on Domaine Chanson Viré-Clessé 2018

Holiday Gift Guide for all your Grapefriends

December 3, 2020 - Grapefriend's latest newsletter featured wine recommendations for the holidays, including two versatile bottles from Domaine Chanson. Writer Alyssa Vitrano notes that the star during her annual Christmas Eve Feast of…

Trade Materials

Other Wines by this Producer

Bourgogne Pinot Noir

Bourgogne

The grapes for Domaine Chanson’s Bourgogne Rouge are sourced exclusively from select estate-owned vineyards in the Côte de Nuits, as well as several terroirs located in the southern part of the Côte de Beaune.

Bourgogne Chardonnay

Burgundy

This serious Bourgogne Blanc is pale gold in color with intense aromas of citrus fruit, green almond and an underlying minerality. On the palate, it is well-balanced, with very pure fruit and a racy acidity. The finish is refreshing. It's perfect with charcuterie, pâté and goat cheese.

Givry

Givry

Givry is one of the smallest but most famous of the 5 villages in the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise, in the southern part of Burgundy. Whole bunch maceration really helps this wine to deliver. It brings structure, matter and a touch of spiciness and freshness.

Marsannay

Marsannay

Marsannay is a village level located in the northen part of the Côte de Nuits a short distance of Dijon, the regional capital. Chanson has made this appellation an intense focus because of the serious quality the wines can achieve when diligently approached, and the sheer pleasure they can offer.

Gevrey-Chambertin

Gevrey-Chambertin

Gevrey-Chambertin is one of the major communes in the Cote de Nuits and is located in the northern part of the appellation. Fruit is sourced from 4 contracted growers from mid-slope vineyards bordering the prestigious  Premier Crus, including the Lavaux St Jacques. This is a "coup de coeur" wine, meaning it touches your heart with its charming style and powerful aromas and flavors.

Chablis

Chablis

The village of Chablis, located in the northernmost district of Burgundy, is known for producing steely, crisp wines with intense green-appley acidity and a firm, mineral backbone. Domaine Chanson makes a plot-based selection on hills ideally mostly located in south of the village.

Meursault

Meursault, Burgundy

Chanson's Meursault is a village wine with Premier Cru standards. The grapes are from 4 different plots of vineyards from selected growers. 2 of these plots are located on mid-slope for finesse and minerality. The other 2 are situated around the village for more richness and depth.

Beaune Clos des Marconnets 1er Cru

Burgundy, France

"Les Marconnets" are located in the Northern hint of the Appelation Beaune 1er Cru. The name of this vineyard referred to the german tribe "Marcomans". Chanson owns 4 ha, i.e, 40% of the vineyard.

Beaune Clos due Roi 1er Cru Domaine

The vineyard of “Clos du Roi” is located below “Les Marconnets” on a fold in the hill. Chanson owns around 7.5 acres (approximately 35% of the total vineyard area). 2/3 of Chanson’s vines are planted with Pinot Noir. The plot is low on the slope and known to produce elegant, stylish wines for relatively easy drinking.