Macon Villages Emmanuel Giboulot 2017

Macon Villages Emmanuel Giboulot 2017, natural and organic wine, maturing vintage, rich in texture, flavour, depth and complexity. Emmanuel Giboulot is a natural wine maker who aims at classic wine styles, no compromise on quality but also aiming to preserve the fruit and texture of the Chardonnay grape. He does a cold clarification before fermentation in large oak barrels. This helps preserve the fruit and mineral quality of the Chardonnay grape. When young the wines are steely fresh with cutting acid, with a bit of age, they start to move, enrich, express and intrigue. The Macon wines is no less impressive than those of the Cotes de Beaune, layered and rich and flavour, an absolutely gorgeous example of top Burgundy and well worth the price. Will continue to age another 2-3 years.

Emmanuel Giboulet is somewhat of a renegade in the Burgundy bubble, resisting wholeheartedly the use of chemicals and pesticides in the vineyard.

Stemming from his father's move to organic production after his mother became ill and they realised the impact chemicals were having on the land. Since taking over the estate in 1985 he has sought to increase the biodiversity and learn how to keep the vines healthy with natural balance. This behaviour risked getting him landed in jail when the appellation called for all vineyards to be sprayed with a chemical to protect the spread of 'flavescence dorée' and he refused. Luckily, due to huge support and the opening of the debate, he was allowed to continue and his approach has stood the test of time. He has now grown his holdings to nearly 10 hectares with small plots all over the Cotes de Beaune and some in Cotes de Nuits. He remains committed to his principles and he even has the enviable reputation of being 'supposedly' the only producer in Burgundy never to chaptalise his wines, and he never uses new oak, just used barrels. A purist through and through, for pure, authentic Burgundy, Giboulot is your man.