Home-drinking, friends over brought this. Nice Chardonnay for once not done in the "de rigueur" reductive style. I don't find the oxidative notes reported by other. This is too rich for my tastes however. More than warmth there is a noticeable sweetness on the finish that suggests that the Maconnais yielded much riper wines in '14 than the perfectly balanced Côte de Beaune. I am curious to try other wines from this producer.
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Rich, oxidative in the old-school nutty style but with very good backbone and acidity. Agree with the sunny Macon fruit comment, definitely some warmth but the alcohol doesn’t protrude. Bit too natty for my taste.
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Delicious natural Chardonnay with a lovely nose of lemon, apple, spices, and minerals. Nice acidity with a good amount of weight but lifted aromas of citrus and apple on the palate. Good finish.
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Opened the last three bottles of this for a logistically complex distance wine tasting and it was a bit controversial with some folks noting the touch of vinegar acidity and browned apple notes from the oxidation and with one bottle som lactic tones which detracted also for me, whereas others had it as WOTN. I really think it had toned down a bit more compared to two years ago, but the acidity is just singing and expresses as the core of this great wine. So, if you like me is a sucker for complex acidity that pushes the palate, this is really really nice. (score is 93 for the two best bottles and 90 for the third bottle which was correct but borderline)
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Pretty much in line with previous notes although pushed further towards a creamier and fuller profile. Deep yellow and dense looking in the glass. Baked lemon, lots of green and yellow apples, tiny bit of vinegar on the nose and lots of crushed rocks. The fruit is definitely mature and rich, not heavy but dominating and pushing the high quality acidity aside on the palate. Honey, butter and some smoke in the background. Almonds. Long aftertaste and good complexity. Very good in a less sharp and electric way than usual for the M-C. Since the first tasting I've found the '14 smoother and richer in style, not my favourite vintage but still a very good bottle of wine.
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Holding up well. See previous notes. Perhaps showing a bit more classic this time with less of the ripe apples and more lemon and butter. Very, very good.
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Bordeaux April 2020 Perfect spot to drink this one, it is very well made, pure, with Macon fat'ness, quite rich, I like the pineappel/ passion fruit twist on it, need a decant to open up, it is a little oxidative, but in a good way. Drink 2020-2024
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Shows greater complexity now than a few years ago. It also appears more structured with a little less embedding baby fat. The concentration is truly impressive, as well as the balance, without excess weight (only 13,5 % abv). Seems set to develop well for longer than previously expected - having recently tasted several vintages back to 1992 it's pretty safe to say: Now-2034. (Disclaimer: ITB with Swedish importer Vin & Natur)
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Mixed lemons, yellow and red apples with hints of stone fruit, bitter almonds, glue, grass/hay, spices and minerals. Initially some lactic notes which thankfully could be aerated away. Delicious.
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Second bottle within a year and I share the same love for this wine as previous tasters.
Apples in all shapes from crunchy to bruised, grilled lemon, creamy batonnage, grounded nuts, dusty chalk and butter. Rich texture with vibrant acidity that adds freshness. Great intensity to the flavors and impeccable balance. The fruit is really ripe but still has a crunchy feel to it. That little oxidative twist with nuts and bruised red apples is just brilliant. Long finish.
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A disappointment after the excellent 2011 drunk three years ago and the splendid 2013 Pouilly Fuisse VV a month or see ago (see notes for both). While not faulty this wine in this vintage as others have noted has definite signs of oxidation. I think they've overdone their preferred style and this hasn't quite worked.
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Quite elegant, mineral, restrained yellow fruit. This bottle had a touch too much volatile acidity (the best bottles from Valette have just enough to be interesting). Finishes a bit harsh at first but with air it all becomes a bit rounder and more inviting. Revisit in 1 year.
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Slightly leaner than the Mesdemoizelles 14 from Valette, but the same charachteristics are present here, just turned down a notch. Rich and powerful chardonnay, but with impeccable balance. Great today, but will definately age well.
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Same dark golden color as the MesDemoizelles (the Pouilly-Vinzelles which the appellation did not allow in 2014) but more a mix of green/red apples as opposed to the MesDemoizelles mix of yellow/red/browned-by-air-contact apples. Some nice complexity but more pure in its expression. On the palate its like a lemon wedge and all about green apples and saline expression. Loved it. Ready to drink but can easily go for several more years and keep getting better. Glad I bought more. Currently, I'd prefer this to the MesDemoizelles '14. Also more classic Macon to my mind.
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Potpourri of Wines from an Autumn Trip to France; 10/9/2018-10/24/2018 (Paris, Lyon, Beaune, Reims): Tulip colored. Cidery aromas of fresh cut red and yellow apples. Generous, ripe entry with a sense of sweetness followed by very good balancing acidity and strong earth that carries the finish. Wonderful feel without seeming woody. While it has that sunny Mâcon fruit, it also has a degree of soil and character I don't often find in these wines. Unlike some bottles of Valette, this seems mature but has no oxidative character whatsoever, which came as quite a relief to me. Impressive.
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I’ve heard lots about the wines from Valette but never tried any before. Time to do something about that. The 2014 Macon-Chaintre is a bit too cold and shy initially but soon opens up with lime, lemon, earl grey mixed with lapsang tea and winter apples. Almost oxidative, mature champagne and Jura chard springs to mind but on the palate the piercing acidity, juicy, fresh lemon fruit and salty, mineral finish gives the lie to any thoughts of premox. Very long. Great class here! Premiere to Grand cru quality.
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At this early stage the newly released MC VV '14 is without doubt the most harmonious version we've tasted so far, even if it doesn't really have the downright electric tension of the '12. Very friendly on the palate, with juicy lemony fruit, fine ripe acidity, and salty sensations embedded in a smooth texture. Stylewise totally timeless and beyond any trend, as expected from Valette. Development in bottle may unfold greater complexity with time. Now-2024.
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Big fan of Philippe Valettes wines and especially the Mâcon Chaintré VV. 65 year old vines growing on limestone and clay, old barrels. Rich and full appearance, golden color. Lemon and citrus notes in multiple shapes and layers, a feeling of smoky minerality, almost like the one I often find in whites from the Jura region. Chives and butter. Still pretty rich in style and a bit smoother and more elegant than the previous two vintages. With that being said there's still that lovely backbone of acidity and tension that for me characterise these wines. Of course super young but drinks good already, will be interesting to see where it goes from here and if it will be able to match the '12 in a couple of years, which for me is the best vintage of the MC to date.
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4/15/2024 - palfr2 wrote:
Home-drinking, friends over brought this. Nice Chardonnay for once not done in the "de rigueur" reductive style. I don't find the oxidative notes reported by other. This is too rich for my tastes however. More than warmth there is a noticeable sweetness on the finish that suggests that the Maconnais yielded much riper wines in '14 than the perfectly balanced Côte de Beaune. I am curious to try other wines from this producer.
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11/25/2023 - melvinyeowq wrote: 90 Points
Rich, oxidative in the old-school nutty style but with very good backbone and acidity. Agree with the sunny Macon fruit comment, definitely some warmth but the alcohol doesn’t protrude. Bit too natty for my taste.
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10/17/2023 - glou.sf Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious natural Chardonnay with a lovely nose of lemon, apple, spices, and minerals. Nice acidity with a good amount of weight but lifted aromas of citrus and apple on the palate. Good finish.
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7/16/2023 - Frank Schneider wrote: 93 Points
Nice and funky chardonnay . Fresh and yummy
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8/27/2022 - Puteljen! Likes this wine: 92 Points
Apples and lemons galore. Some slight yeast. Very Valette, very good.
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7/16/2022 - JohanPe wrote: 93 Points
Consistent with previous note. Continuing its way towards maturity, slow and steady. Brilliant.
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6/12/2021 - Omar Khayyam Likes this wine:
Opened the last three bottles of this for a logistically complex distance wine tasting and it was a bit controversial with some folks noting the touch of vinegar acidity and browned apple notes from the oxidation and with one bottle som lactic tones which detracted also for me, whereas others had it as WOTN. I really think it had toned down a bit more compared to two years ago, but the acidity is just singing and expresses as the core of this great wine. So, if you like me is a sucker for complex acidity that pushes the palate, this is really really nice. (score is 93 for the two best bottles and 90 for the third bottle which was correct but borderline)
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5/30/2021 - karl.1480 Likes this wine: 92 Points
I fully agree with the note from JohanPe 2020-11-21. Sadly this was my last bottle.
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1/2/2021 - Puteljen! Likes this wine: 92 Points
A bit more mature with a slight creaminess. Masses of apple and lemon. Good lenght. See also previous notes.
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11/21/2020 - JohanPe wrote: 92 Points
Pretty much in line with previous notes although pushed further towards a creamier and fuller profile. Deep yellow and dense looking in the glass. Baked lemon, lots of green and yellow apples, tiny bit of vinegar on the nose and lots of crushed rocks. The fruit is definitely mature and rich, not heavy but dominating and pushing the high quality acidity aside on the palate. Honey, butter and some smoke in the background. Almonds.
Long aftertaste and good complexity. Very good in a less sharp and electric way than usual for the M-C. Since the first tasting I've found the '14 smoother and richer in style, not my favourite vintage but still a very good bottle of wine.
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10/24/2020 - Puteljen! Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great stuff. Not much difference from previous bottles but this one drinking well directly after opening.
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5/5/2020 - Puteljen! Likes this wine: 92 Points
Holding up well. See previous notes. Perhaps showing a bit more classic this time with less of the ripe apples and more lemon and butter. Very, very good.
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4/10/2020 - In2wines Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bordeaux April 2020
Perfect spot to drink this one, it is very well made, pure, with Macon fat'ness, quite rich, I like the pineappel/ passion fruit twist on it, need a decant to open up, it is a little oxidative, but in a good way.
Drink 2020-2024
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2/14/2020 - Finare Vinare wrote: 93 Points
Shows greater complexity now than a few years ago. It also appears more structured with a little less embedding baby fat. The concentration is truly impressive, as well as the balance, without excess weight (only 13,5 % abv). Seems set to develop well for longer than previously expected - having recently tasted several vintages back to 1992 it's pretty safe to say: Now-2034. (Disclaimer: ITB with Swedish importer Vin & Natur)
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10/26/2019 - JohanPe wrote: 92 Points
Consistent with previous note.
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8/10/2019 - arvidpalmqvist Likes this wine:
Mixed lemons, yellow and red apples with hints of stone fruit, bitter almonds, glue, grass/hay, spices and minerals. Initially some lactic notes which thankfully could be aerated away. Delicious.
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8/6/2019 - Kris G wrote: 88 Points
Oxidative impression, ripe, full-bodied, fresh, rich, orange, exotic fruits, mango, apple
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7/21/2019 - karl.1480 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Second bottle within a year and I share the same love for this wine as previous tasters.
Apples in all shapes from crunchy to bruised, grilled lemon, creamy batonnage, grounded nuts, dusty chalk and butter.
Rich texture with vibrant acidity that adds freshness. Great intensity to the flavors and impeccable balance. The fruit is really ripe but still has a crunchy feel to it. That little oxidative twist with nuts and bruised red apples is just brilliant. Long finish.
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7/21/2019 - Kappertje Likes this wine: 92 Points
Goudgeel , zeer mooie neus , rijp fruit en citrus toets , mineralig
Volle aanzet ondersteund door ragfijne zuren . Goed potentieel
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7/9/2019 - Vinogan(s) wrote:
Superripe chardonay, a bit overdone
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6/29/2019 - finewinebuff57 wrote: 86 Points
A disappointment after the excellent 2011 drunk three years ago and the splendid 2013 Pouilly Fuisse VV a month or see ago (see notes for both). While not faulty this wine in this vintage as others have noted has definite signs of oxidation. I think they've overdone their preferred style and this hasn't quite worked.
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3/23/2019 - LW31 Likes this wine:
Quite elegant, mineral, restrained yellow fruit. This bottle had a touch too much volatile acidity (the best bottles from Valette have just enough to be interesting). Finishes a bit harsh at first but with air it all becomes a bit rounder and more inviting. Revisit in 1 year.
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3/13/2019 - Elvis1969 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Ekstedt.
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2/17/2019 - aekenback wrote: 92 Points
Slightly leaner than the Mesdemoizelles 14 from Valette, but the same charachteristics are present here, just turned down a notch. Rich and powerful chardonnay, but with impeccable balance. Great today, but will definately age well.
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2/11/2019 - Omar Khayyam Likes this wine: 93 Points
Same dark golden color as the MesDemoizelles (the Pouilly-Vinzelles which the appellation did not allow in 2014) but more a mix of green/red apples as opposed to the MesDemoizelles mix of yellow/red/browned-by-air-contact apples. Some nice complexity but more pure in its expression. On the palate its like a lemon wedge and all about green apples and saline expression. Loved it. Ready to drink but can easily go for several more years and keep getting better. Glad I bought more. Currently, I'd prefer this to the MesDemoizelles '14. Also more classic Macon to my mind.
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10/19/2018 - drwine2001 wrote:
Potpourri of Wines from an Autumn Trip to France; 10/9/2018-10/24/2018 (Paris, Lyon, Beaune, Reims): Tulip colored. Cidery aromas of fresh cut red and yellow apples. Generous, ripe entry with a sense of sweetness followed by very good balancing acidity and strong earth that carries the finish. Wonderful feel without seeming woody. While it has that sunny Mâcon fruit, it also has a degree of soil and character I don't often find in these wines. Unlike some bottles of Valette, this seems mature but has no oxidative character whatsoever, which came as quite a relief to me. Impressive.
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7/28/2018 - Puteljen! Likes this wine: 92 Points
See previous note.
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6/3/2018 - Puteljen! Likes this wine: 93 Points
I’ve heard lots about the wines from Valette but never tried any before. Time to do something about that. The 2014 Macon-Chaintre is a bit too cold and shy initially but soon opens up with lime, lemon, earl grey mixed with lapsang tea and winter apples. Almost oxidative, mature champagne and Jura chard springs to mind but on the palate the piercing acidity, juicy, fresh lemon fruit and salty, mineral finish gives the lie to any thoughts of premox. Very long. Great class here! Premiere to Grand cru quality.
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11/1/2017 - Finare Vinare wrote: 92 Points
At this early stage the newly released MC VV '14 is without doubt the most harmonious version we've tasted so far, even if it doesn't really have the downright electric tension of the '12. Very friendly on the palate, with juicy lemony fruit, fine ripe acidity, and salty sensations embedded in a smooth texture. Stylewise totally timeless and beyond any trend, as expected from Valette. Development in bottle may unfold greater complexity with time. Now-2024.
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10/28/2017 - JohanPe wrote: 92 Points
Big fan of Philippe Valettes wines and especially the Mâcon Chaintré VV. 65 year old vines growing on limestone and clay, old barrels. Rich and full appearance, golden color. Lemon and citrus notes in multiple shapes and layers, a feeling of smoky minerality, almost like the one I often find in whites from the Jura region. Chives and butter. Still pretty rich in style and a bit smoother and more elegant than the previous two vintages. With that being said there's still that lovely backbone of acidity and tension that for me characterise these wines. Of course super young but drinks good already, will be interesting to see where it goes from here and if it will be able to match the '12 in a couple of years, which for me is the best vintage of the MC to date.
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