MAISON VALETTE, The art of patience

Philippe and Cécile Valette are emblematic figures in the Mâconnais region. While their neighbors opted for higher yields and mechanization, the couple decided in the early 90s to convert their 15 hectares to organic farming;

While some seek to harvest earlier and earlier to obtain more juice, others focus on grape quality and optimum ripeness. Here, tradition endures, and Chardonnay takes on the air of a pure diamond. Philippe represents the third generation of Valettes to operate here, and it was he who introduced the principles of biodynamic viticulture in 1992. " If you respect the soil and the climate, the plant should be able to take care of itself " he likes to point out.

While the vast majority of winemakers in the area opt for short tank maturation to shorten time and costs, these off-the-beaten-path winemakers continue to age their wines in barrels for a minimum of two years. The Valettes don't do anything like everyone else, and that's what makes their wines so unique. Pure, deep, complex, precise, taut and impressively long, adjectives fail to define them. All we know is that thanks to Philippe and Cécile Valette, Mâconnais can proudly claim a place among Burgundy's elite.

Their Pouilly-Fuissé and Viré-Clessé are monuments to the glory of Chardonnay. They offer unfathomable depth and fireworks for the taste buds. And what about the two clos... the mythical Clos Reyssié and Clos de Monsieur Noly, which only come out of the cellars after very long years in the cellar, are simply immense. For the record, Noly has already knocked out a few Côte de Beaune grands crus in blind tastings.... The complexity and length of this wine are an example to follow for those seeking to best express the essence of great Chardonnays.

The new Domaine Valette vintage has arrived! Well, the latest vintage, or rather a mix of the latest vintages. Because Philippe Valette, known as an authentic Chardonnay magician, decided it would be interesting to blend certain vintages. It depends on each barrel, the wine's state of advancement, its potential at a given moment and the magic of the combinations. The result is impressive in its balance and precision.

This is news that many have been waiting for: Clos de Monsieur Noly and Clos Reyssié are finally back. Two unique wines, two monuments of the Mâconnais region, probably among the greatest whites we have ever tasted.

Philippe Valette has chosen to apply his solera approach here, as he did with his latest vintages. The result: incredible depth and complexity.

• Clos de Monsieur Noly: blend of 2011–12–13–16–18
• Clos Reyssié: blend of 2014–15–16–17–18

Timeless wines with unique balance.

And that's not all: we are also receiving new releases from Mâcon-Villages, Chaintré, Viré-Clessé, and Pouilly-Fuissé. All magnificent, all in microscopic quantities.