Biodynamic. This wine grows on one of Mâcon’s very best sites. Les Quarts is sectioned into four lieux-dits (or historical place names): Haut, Bas, Le Clocheton and Les Quarts Touches. This is a blend of those parcels which do not make it into La Soufrandière’s Les Quarts cuvée. The vines, aged 35 to 50 years, are a touch younger than those for the Les Quarts bottling. This also includes a small parcel of Au Bourgeois just in front of Les Bouchardières.
Planted at 230 metres on classic Bajocian clay and Jurassic limestone, this beautiful slope has been certified biodynamic since 2006. The 2023 was vinified mainly in old barriques. The Domaine uses no new oak, by the way, with the barrels in the cellar averaging 10 to 12 years old. Along with ex-Leflaive and Lafon barrels, the Bret brothers also use 300-litre seasoned casks from Olivier Lamy.
Pure class, this wine has always glanced 1er Cru quality and it’s no surprise that Les Quarts will become a certified 1er Cru from the 2024 vintage (even if this cuvée will not be labelled 1er Cru). Expect drive, satiny depth and length of flavour with La Soufrandière’s beautiful, tonic freshness running throughout. A bona fide star of the Mâconnais.