Maison Gilles Noblet Mâcon-Fuissé 2015

“The 2015 Mâcon wines are the finest I have produced in 37 years,” remarked Gilles Noblet, a man not given to brash statements or hyperbole. Excellency and consistency are truly Gilles Noblet’s calling cards, and there is no doubt that the 2015 vintage yielded exceptional quality throughout Burgundy. The 2015 Maison Gilles Noblet Mâcon-Fuissé is a true classic – fuller and riper than normal due to reduced yields but still in possession of the elegance and precision that make Noblet’s wines so compelling. The 2015 Maison Gilles Noblet Mâcon-Fuissé wears its usually bright sun-splashed robe, which recalls the rows of golden clusters of Chardonnay grapes that mature slowly under the Mâconnais sun. Savory notes of acacia flowers, apple blossoms, and freshly baked bread waft from the glass to please the nose. Once in the mouth, the 2015 Maison Gilles Noblet Mâcon-Fuissé follows through with gentle, pure fruit flavors, pinpoint minerality and balanced acidity. Fresh, nuanced and eminently drinkable as always, Maison Noblet’s 2015 Mâcon-Fuissé is a delight to drink now, yet will continue to develop in bottle and offer exceptional drinking pleasure through 2018 and beyond. For optimal enjoyment, we suggest moderate chilling (40° F) before allowing this classic Mâcon-Fuissé to evolve slowly in the glass and reveal its many charms. Salut!

The 2015 Maison Gilles Noblet Mâcon-Fuissé is a crowd pleaser and an easy wine to drink, on its own or with food. It pairs naturally with food, providing understated elegance to complement a wide variety of dishes, especially those prepared with fish and shellfish. Scallop and crab dishes constitute perennial favorites with Noblet’s wines. Scallops, sautéed in a light cream sauce with pistachio nuts, and crabmeat cocktails offer especially memorable pairings to Maison Noblet’s elegant Mâcon-Fuissé. Flounder, stuffed with crabmeat, makes a wonderful partner, too. Baked or grilled grouper, sole, sea bass, and trout offer other fine choices with this wine. 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 present other excellent pairings with Noblet’s seductive 2015 Mâcon-Fuissé. Yet, Noblet’s refreshing, easy to drink Mâcon-Fuissé pleases on its own, making it a great aperitif or the prelude to a relaxing evening. For a little extra pleasure, serve the 2015 Maison Noblet Mâcon-Fuissé with thin slices of Pink Lady apples and creamy slices of Havarti cheese. Enjoy!

Gilles Noblet of Domaine de la Collonge continues to fashion some of the Mâcon’s (the Mâcon is the area of southern Burgundy that is known for its elegant Chardonnay wines) finest and most enjoyable white wines from several renowned appellations. Noblet’s domaine (known presently both as Maison Gilles Noblet and Domaine de la Collonge) is a small family owned and run estate of only 22 acres. Gilles is the fourth generation member of his family to make wine at this prized property. For the record, Gilles’ wife also comes from a traditional winemaking family, so wine and winemaking run deep in the heart and soul of this couple as well as in the terroir of Noblet’s well-tended vineyards.

The name Domaine de la Collonge 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, Pouilly-Loché, and St. 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 other Mâconnais whites. Gilles Noblet’s wines are classic white Burgundies and some of the most compelling wines of the Mâconnais.