Barraud Macon Chaintre 2012

Barraud 2012 Les Pierres Polies, Mâcon Chaintré, Southern Burgundy
Made from 25 year old Chardonnay vines from an organically farmed 2.7 acre parcel of extremely stony soil of the 5th village of Pouilly Fuissé named Chaintré this is Mâcon Chardonnay at a far lower altitude than Vergisson –the renowned escarpment where the Barraud’s call home. Aged 2/3 in Foudres (new large wood) and 1/3 in stainless steel tank, this is always more than I bargain for from Mâcon. It’s polished texture is all the more burnished; its nose evermore fragrant and uplifting; its finish clean but beauteously aromatic –far more of Burgundy than merely expressive of simply Chardonnay.

Named for the polished stones that define this parcel of Chaintré, the Les Pierres Polies is a truly mineral Chardonnay from Mâcon in the southern most vineyards of Burgundy. With a nose expressive of peaches, blossoming apple orchards and all the fruit they’ll bear. This is exceptional southern white Burgundy more Pouilly Fuissé than any appellatively labeled Mâcon you could find but of course this is Barraud and this family not only lives their days among the vines of la Roche de Vergisson but their house rests in its very shadow of this famous limestone butte that rises like a cresting ship above Pouilly Fuissé facing the oncoming Roche de Solutré –dramatic landscapes bearing dramatic wines.
Wine review by Nicholas Livingston, August 14, 2014 (Nether Day)