I bought this to further explore what Chardonnay had to offer in Southern Burgundy. I was marvellously surprised at how good it was, half-expecting a cheap rendition of this hard to master variety. However, I was greeted with a complex, rich & well-crafted bottle.
“A great bottle for introducing someone to White Burgundy.”
Cœur de Charmes 2015
Produced & bottled by: SCV Lugny L'Aurore
Type: Dry White from Eastern France
Region: AOC Mâcon-Lugny, Burgundy, France
Aging: 15 months on lees.
ABV: 13%
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Appearance: 8/10
This Chardonnay comes in the traditional Burgundian bottle with a sealing comprised of a natural cork. The label has very minimal information as is way too common in the world of wine. In the glass, Cœur des Charmes has a pale gold colour with slight green hues, hinting at a vivid acidity. It is completely clear & has a nice brilliance. When I swirl it, few, distanced large legs form, falling from a rather wide crest at a fascinatingly slow pace. There's also a noticeable but mild resistance when the wine hit the glass, which makes me believe it might have a viscous or oily texture.
Nose: 12.5/15
The nose is quite simple, although very characteristic of moderate climate Chardonnays. It oscillates between the crisp, lean Chablis with notes of wet stone, chalk, lemon peel & the rich, intense Côte de Beaune with ripe pears, peaches, honey, hazelnuts, vanilla scents. Again, it's not overly complex, but it has everything you might want in a Chardonnay from Burgundy.
Mouth: 13/15
The mouthfeel is dense & full of substance, giving the wine a medium to full body. The texture is oily has predicted which adds to the perceived weight it has on the tongue. Through all that, there still is a certain elegance brought by a vigorous acidity & a dry palate. The overall impression is one of a balanced wine with bold sensations. The flavours evolve with rich honey, slightly lactic notes, nuts, musk & a whisper of vanilla. Following the same pattern as the mouthfeel, some refreshing minerality as well as stone fruits, underripe pineapples & citrus bring a touch of brightness to the overall profile.
Finish: 7.5/10
The finish is long with strong lingering notes of honey & an everlasting crystalline acidity. A nice simple closure for this enjoyable wine.
Overall: 82/100
I'm pleasantly surprised by this spontaneous decision that I made of trying southern Burgundy. They're often cheap while offering good quality, but this one was so much more. It's a rich, fruity & lively Chardonnay that brings forward different parts of its personality. A great bottle for introducing someone to white Burgundy.
3-word Description
Balanced, Pears & Honey.
The Reference
More information @cave-lugny.com
Comments