Joseph Drouhin Macon–Lugny 'Les Crays' 2022

94 POINTS: Wine Direct Tasting Team

"This wine reveals a lovely freshness. It combines ripe white orchard fruit with vibrant freshness and minerality over a faintly saline background. An exotic nose of white flowers, peach and other stonefruit, full-bodied mouthfeel with a lovely drying, mineral finish. Embued with remarkable concentration and energy."

The Mâconnais region is warmer and drier than the rest of Burgundy to its north. For this reason Chardonnay of the Mâconnais easily achieves the ripeness and palate-weight of their more serious Côte de Beaune cousins, if arguably not quite the same level of refinement. But while the Chardonnays of the Mâconnais generally don’t sport famous reputations, nor do they sport the stratospheric price tags! These are the fun, fruit-driven and lively Chardonnays of white Burgundy, offering fantastic value and lovely current drinking that you don’t have to cellar.

Founded in 1880 by the then 22 year old Joseph Drouhin, this famous Burgundy negociant is still family-owned. Of the current, fourth generation, Veronique Drouhin is the winemaker, Philippe is in charge of the vineyards, whilst Frederic “conducts the orchestra”. Maison Joseph Drouhin owns extensive parcels throughout the Burgundy region and including the world-renowned Clos des Mouches, one of the earliest purchases made by Joseph. From Montrachet to Meursault, and Corton Charlemagne to Côte de Beaune, and Mâcon to Musigny, Maison Drouhin produces one of the widest and finest ranges of wine in all of Burgundy.