Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau - La Roche 2024
Founded in 2009 in Pierreclos, in the heart of the Mâconnais region, Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau has established itself as one of the rising stars of Southern Burgundy. Frantz Chagnoleau and Caroline Gon, both agronomists and oenologists, honed their skills with renowned Mâconnais producers before launching their own estate, now spread across Saint-Véran, Pouilly-Fuissé, Viré-Clessé, and Mâcon-Villages. Their guiding principle is clear: to express the purity of the limestone terroirs as naturally as possible, through organic viticulture, controlled yields, and minimal intervention winemaking that allows the Chardonnay to speak for itself.
The 2024 La Roche vintage belongs to the Saint-Véran appellation, grown on the steep limestone slopes overlooking the southern part of the Mâconnais region. The organically farmed vines are planted in very well-drained, stony soils that impart mineral energy and great tension to the wines. After careful hand-harvesting, the grapes are gently pressed and then transferred to barrels and casks, where fermentation occurs using only indigenous yeasts. Aging on fine lees until the beginning of summer refines the texture, adding depth without ever weighing down the structure. The 2024 vintage, marked by excellent ripeness and cool nights, yields a Saint-Véran La Roche that is simultaneously mature, vertical, and remarkably precise.
On the palate, the nose is direct and expressive. It opens with notes of fresh lemon, grapefruit zest, and green apple, followed by aromas of crisp pear, white flowers, and linden blossom. In the background, a more mineral dimension emerges, evoking damp chalk and a slight smoky touch, a signature of the limestone terroirs of La Roche.
On the palate, the attack is immediate and taut, driven by perfectly integrated acidity that lengthens the wine while maintaining a silky texture. The Chardonnay unfolds a range of juicy white fruits, candied lemon, and light lemon cream, with a chalky structure that adds depth and an almost saline sensation. The wine is both profound and crystalline, never heavy, with a remarkable balance between fruit ripeness and freshness. The long, precise finish lingers with notes of citrus, flint, and subtle hints of iodine, the hallmarks of a great terroir-driven white wine.
At the table, Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau La Roche 2024 stands out as an ideal partner for fine dining. It pairs wonderfully with grilled or roasted fine fish, such as line-caught sea bass or turbot, as well as fish in light sauces, pike-perch with beurre blanc, or free-range poultry in a creamy morel sauce. Its mineral tension and saline finish also make it a perfect match for shellfish and crustaceans, from fine de claire oysters to seared scallops, as well as for refined vegetable dishes featuring asparagus, spring vegetables, or a lemon risotto. Served slightly chilled, it also offers a beautiful alternative to the great Chardonnays of the Côte de Beaune when pairing with cheeses such as young Comté, Beaufort, or certain dry Loire Valley goat cheeses.
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
