Domaine Gilles Noblet Mâcon-Fuissé 2022

The 2022 vintage has yielded superb, hedonistic white Burgundies, and Gilles Noblet’s 2022 Mâcon-Fuissé exhibits the vintage’s alluring seduction. The 2022 Domaine Gilles Noblet Mâcon-Fuissé offers superb ripeness along with the energy and precision that always make Noblet’s wines both immensely compelling and highly sought after. The 2022 Gilles Noblet Mâcon-Fuissé radiates a brilliant glint of sunshine, which recalls the rows of golden clusters of Chardonnay grapes that mature slowly under the Mâconnais sun in what is the prettiest and warmest part of Burgundy. Floral notes of acacia, forsythia, hawthorn, and pear greet the nose. Yet, it is in the mouth that the 2022 Domaine Gilles Noblet Mâcon-Fuissé truly begins to spread its wings and work its seductive magic in the form of gentle, pure fruit flavors, pinpoint precision, and a delightfully refreshing mineral-driven acidity, which ties it all together. Fresh, nuanced and eminently drinkable as always, Gilles Noblet’s 2022 Mâcon-Fuissé is a delight to drink now, yet it will continue to develop in bottle for at least two more years. For optimal enjoyment, we suggest moderate chilling (40°-45° F), before allowing the delightful 2022 Domaine Gilles Noblet Mâcon-Fuissé to evolve slowly in the glass. Anticipated maturity: 2024-2026. Salut!

The 2022 Domaine Gilles Noblet Mâcon-Fuissé makes a splendid aperitif. It is equally adept at hosting the finest seafood, pasta, poultry, salads, and cheeses. Scallops, sautéed in a light cream sauce with pistachio nuts, and crabmeat cocktails offer especially memorable pairings to Domaine Gilles Noblet’s elegant Mâcon-Fuissé. Flounder, stuffed with crabmeat, makes a wonderful partner, too. Baked or grilled grouper, sole, or sea bass served with creamy fennel au gratin offer other fine choices. And, for those not beholden to the sea for sustenance, flavorful chicken salads; light pastas; and healthy organic greens, served with shredded carrot, dried cranberries and goat cheese also pair beautifully with Noblet’s tantalizing 2022 Mâcon-Fuissé. For a simple and easy to prepare accompaniment, consider serving a plate of select creamy cheeses such as Havarti, Appenzeller, Tomme de Bourgogne, and San Joaquin Gold with thin slices of Pink Lady apples. Enjoy!

Located in the historic village of Fuissé, Gilles Noblet fashions several of southern Burgundy’s finest white wines, all from Chardonnay. Noblet crafts his incredible array of Mâconnais wines (the region in southern Burgundy renowned since the 18th century for elegant, sun ripened Chardonnay wines) from the region’s premier appellations. Domaine Noblet’s wines emanate from several sites from Gilles’ family owned and run estate of 27 acres. Mâcon-Fuissé, Pouilly-Fuissé, and Saint-Véran are this prized property’s calling cards.

Gilles is the fourth generation member of his family to make wine at this prized property. Madame Noblet also hails from a traditional winemaking family and the couple’s daughter is also an integral member of the winemaking team as wine and winemaking run deep in the heart and soul of the Noblet family, and in the terroir of Noblet’s well-tended and superbly situated vineyards.

Domaine Gilles Noblet is also known as Domaine de la Collonge, which derives from the sector or area (known as an aire) of the Fuissé commune that is called Collonge. Most of Gilles Noblet’s estate is spread along the hills of la Collonge, which yield on average only a little more than six thousand cases of Pouilly-Fuissé each year and smaller quantities of exceptional Mâcon-Fuissé (this month’s feature), Pouilly-Loché, and Saint-Véran – all elegant Mâcon wines from 100% Chardonnay vines.

Although not certified as organic, Gilles Noblet practices sustainable agriculture and uses non-interventionist methods in the production of his wines. No artificial fertilizers or insecticides are employed, and only natural yeast is used in fermentation. Moreover, the age of the vines at Noblet’s domaine averages more than forty years, with many vines considerably older. Noblet’s old vines and reduced yields result in wines more generous and concentrated than many other Mâconnais whites. Gilles Noblet’s wines are classic white Burgundies.

Mâcon-Fuissé, centered around the historic village of Fuissé, is one of southern Burgundy’s premier appellations. It is located in the heart of the Mâconnais region, which is renowned for its limestone bluffs and chalky alkaline soil, the ideal terroir for Chardonnay. Located in a green amphitheater, Mâcon-Fuissé surrounds neighboring Pouilly-Fuissé, Mâcon-Loché, and Saint-Véran. Like its neighbors, Mâcon-Fuissé produces a delicious, elegant white wine exclusively from Chardonnay grapes.

In Mâcon-Fuissé, the tradition is to give fully ripened Chardonnay grapes a gentle press, so that the resulting wine expresses the ultimate quality of the grape, soil, and the region’s unique terroir, instead of infusing the wine with the extensive use of new oak. Consequently, most Mâcon-Fuissé wines see minimal or no new oak barrel aging, so as not to obscure the delicacy, elegance, and subtle charm for which the wines of this prized appellation are renowned.