Louis Latour Viré-Clessé 2021 is a white Burgundy Chardonnay from the northern part of the Mâconnais, between Tournus and Mâcon. This appellation is relatively young within Burgundy, having been formed in 1999 around the villages of Viré and Clessé. The wine combines the round, ripe style of Mâconnais Chardonnay with fresh tension, almond, citrus, and brioche, while fermentation and aging in stainless steel keep the style clear and pure.
Viré-Clessé is located in the northern Mâconnais and has its own distinct character within southern Burgundy.
• Location / Origin: Viré-Clessé is situated between Tournus and Mâcon. The appellation brings together the villages of Viré and Clessé, which bottled their wines as Mâcon-Clessé and Mâcon-Viré before 1999.
• Appellation: Viré-Clessé is a young Burgundian appellation entirely focused on white Chardonnay wine. Its style distinguishes itself from more southerly appellations like Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint-Véran through its unique balance of roundness, fruit, and fresh tension.
• Soil: The vines grow on clay and limestone. Clay gives Chardonnay more roundness and body, while limestone helps to maintain freshness and a refined mineral tension.
• Vineyard & Harvest: The vines average 25 years in age, and yields are around 48 hl per hectare. The grapes are harvested mechanically, in line with the clean and accessible style of this cuvée.
This white Burgundy is made entirely from Chardonnay.
• Chardonnay – Viré-Clessé: Chardonnay gives this wine its round mouthfeel, fresh almond, citrus, and floral fruit expression. In Viré-Clessé, the grape develops a riper Mâconnais style, but thanks to the chalky soil and stainless steel vinification, the wine remains vibrant and precise.
The vinification focuses on freshness, roundness, and a pure expression of Chardonnay.
• Fermentation: The wine undergoes traditional fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and completes full malolactic conversion. This preserves the bright fruit character, while softening the acidity and adding roundness to the wine.
• Aging: The wine ages for 8–10 months in stainless steel tanks. This ensures that the almond, citrus, and brioche notes remain pure, without any influence from wood.
• Aging Potential: This Viré-Clessé has an aging potential of 3–5 years. This aligns well with the combination of round Chardonnay structure, fresh acidity, and mineral tension.
