New Arrivals from Guillemot-Michel and More Mâcon!
3/13/2025
We're very happy to have a new shipment from Domaine Guillemot-Michel arriving in NY. These superb Burgundies from the Maconnais, appellation Viré-Clessé, are truly "unique and magical," expressing not only the beautiful biodynamic farming and living soils but also the deep intelligence and commitment of the family in creating wines that are as pure and natural as possible. Tasting at Guillemot-Michel has been one of my most pleasurable experiences in wine - come taste with winemaker Gautier Roussille at Skin Contact, along with other biodynamic producers, on April 24 - stay tuned for details!
The Mâconnais is home to numerous superb estates, many being pioneers of organic and Biodynamic farming - our favorites including Domaine de la Bongran, Domaine de Roally, Clos des Vignes du Maynes and Château des Rontets. Relatively unknown and rarely available in the US are the unique and magical wines of Domaine Guillemot-Michel in Clessé where the living soils and meticulous winemaking create vibrant Chardonnays that cellar beautifully for 20 to 30 years. Pierrette Michel took over the family domaine in 1982 with her husband Marc Guillemot, now succeeded by daughter Sophie and her husband Gautier Roussille. Certified Biodynamic in 1991, the estates 6.5 hectares are situated on degraded Jurassic-era limestones with thin clay soils. With relatively high yearly rainfall, the unique soils and very old vines (planted between 1920 and 1989) produce intensely mineral wines with firm acidities.
[Guillemot-Michel "le Chene" vineyard]
"Our work in Biodynamics aims first of all to maintain a living soil, by mechanical and non-chemical maintenance, and by the refusal of any synthetic phytosanitary product during treatments, in favor of mineral substances and herbal preparations. These preparations are made at the estate or in groups with other winegrowers. We grow the plants used (yarrow, horsetail, nettle, alfalfa, valerian, comfrey, thyme, oregano, savory, etc.) or collect wild plants. In the cellar, we limit our interventions to what is strictly necessary, thanks to an optimal quality of harvest. The alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place naturally in concrete vats thanks to indigenous yeasts and bacteria."
The 2022 "Quintaine," the estates main cuvée, is a gorgeous white Burgundy to drink now, showing a brilliant pale gold color and complex aromas of poached pear, almond, candied lemon, kiwi, stone and lime-flower, elegant and quite beautiful. The palate is round and dense, a bit riper than the 2021, with firm acidity, showing cool stone fruits and citrus with caramel, stone and mineral flavors. The 2022 is delicious now, but will cellar beautifully for 10 to 15 years.
The 2023 "Retour à la Terre" - is issued from grapes in the "Champ-Rond" vineyard, vinified in amphora of 800 liters. The 65 year-old vines are grafted on "Riparia Gloire de Montpellier" an old root-stock obtained in 1880, giving very low yields with magnificent small grapes, of a deep gold color. The 2023 Retour à la Terre presents the exotic notes typical of the domain with an extra dimension of expression due to the respiration of the amphora.
2022 "Charleston" "First produced in 2016, this cuvée is made from 100 year-old vines planted by Pierrette's grandfather after the First World War. In his honor, we wanted to vinify these vines that he planted as he made it himself, in old demi-muids (600 liter barrels). "Charleston" is thus fermented and aged for one year in a 10 year-old demi-muid. After the next harvest the wine is transfered to a cement vat for 6 additional months of aging." The 2021 is a gorgeous, botrytis-affected wine, showing remarkable complexity, with apricot, peach, truffle, honey and minerals.
2023 "Solstice" - an orange wine and a beautiful Burgundy! "The best grapes from a micro-block of one hundred year-old "Chardonnay muscaté" picked on a first pass, hand de-stemmed, macerated for 3 months in a sandstone amphora, pressed by hand and feet in January. No sulfites, no pump, no filtration."
2021 "Le Feu et la Glace" Guillemot-Michel lost most of their 2021 harvest to frost, but they were able to obtain organic Chardonnay and Gamay from friends to make this rather vivacious sparkling wine!
More Macon!
While we're in the Maconnais, Hanna suggests these two delicious wines and great values!
2023 Domaine des Terres de Chatenay Mâcon-Pérrone "Vieilles Vignes" - An exceptional wine of value from the Macon if we have ever seen one! This wine from Terres de Chatenay comes from 65-year-old vines in the hamlet of Péronne on pebbly marl-limestone soils.
2022 Domaine Clos des Rocs Mâcon-Fuissé, “En Vers Chânes" - The high altitude (400 meters) and sandy limestone of this site produce a wine of striking poise and penetrating minerality!
