Vire-Clesse

A fresh pale colour, this is beautifully concentrated on the nose but not at all fleshy, and then a wealth of fruit kicks in on the palate. All is neatly harnessed, the vintage and the appellation marrying well. A wine full of energy. Drink 2018-2021.
Jasper Morris MW, Wine Buyer

Dominique Lafon and his cellar master, Caroline Gon, took a great deal of trouble in 2015 to get their picking dates exactly right. They started on 28th August and picked their Mâconnais wines across a 13-day period, as each sector ripened, with the result that they have avoided high sugar levels and have kept the desired element of freshness in their wines.

In 2017 this vineyard was harvested on seven different dates to ensure optimum ripeness. The nose has a touch of the exotic, but with more restraint than in the past. The palate has a salty freshness running through, with saline, iodine notes accompanying the powerful structure and a chewy finish with plenty of dry extract. Dominique thinks it’s the best Viré he has made. Drink 2020-2026.

The hot and dry conditions of summer 2017 have yielded mixed blessings; the wines are deliciously ripe but the volumes have suffered a little due to drought stress. Picking began early (at the end of August), with the resulting wines being described by Caroline as of really high quality, with good balance and maturity. Dominique and Caroline take great care to pick each parcel (and indeed sub-parcel) at precisely the right time to ensure optimum ripeness.