Wines Mâcon and Mâcon-Villages Famille Cordier - Clos du Four - 2023

Viniou Reviews

Famille Cordier’s 2023 “Cuvée Clos du Four” from the Mâcon et Mâcon-Villages AOC is a classic white Burgundy, showcasing the best qualities of southern Burgundy’s Chardonnay. This vintage reflects a fresh and youthful character, typical of its relatively recent harvest year. The terroir of Clos du Four, known for its limestone-rich soils with traces of clay, offers an elegant minerality and a vibrant aromatic profile. The vinification process in this area generally favours temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, ensuring the preservation of the grape’s natural fruit and finesse. The resulting wine is typically dry, with hints of white peach, crisp apple, citrus blossom, and a subtle undertone of hazelnut or fresh almonds brought about by the chalky soils.

The Mâconnais region is situated in the southern extremity of Burgundy and is renowned for its gently rolling hills and relatively warm climate, influenced by its slightly more southern latitude compared to the Côte d’Or. The combination of sunny exposures and cool nights helps bring out riper, juicier fruit in the wines while retaining a refreshing acidity. Its history is steeped in viticultural tradition, with villages dotting the landscape that have been producing wine since Roman times. Soils in this area, primarily limestone interspersed with clay, give the wines a distinctive balance of fruitiness, roundness, and tension.

For food pairings, this expressive Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay lends itself beautifully to a variety of dishes. Its juicy fruit and crisp backbone make it an ideal companion for classic Burgundian starters such as gougères (cheese puffs) or a mild jambon persillé. Seafood, especially grilled prawns, white fish in a beurre blanc sauce, or seared scallops, brings out the wine’s mineral edge, while simple roast chicken or a creamy chicken fricassée will highlight its subtle richness. Fresh goat’s cheese or a tangy Comté will also provide a harmonious regional match.

To best appreciate its lively aromas and flavours, serve this Chardonnay well-chilled, at around 10-12°C. This allows the wine to express both its crisp freshness and the delicate nuances of its southern Burgundian terroir. As this is a youthful vintage, it is best enjoyed in the next two to three years.