We are delighted to have unearthed a new hidden gem in the Macconais, Domaine de la Chapelle. Pascal Rollet first rented these prime vines in 1982 and has been working them ever since. The opportunity arose to buy the vineyards a few years ago and he did not hesitate to grab it. Pascal, and now his son Thomas, preside over 7.5ha split across St Veran and the heart of the Pouilly sector of Pouilly-Fuissé. Well situated vineyards on a range of terroirs and exposures, with a large proportion of old vines (ranging from 50 to 100 years old) are at the heart of this estate.

The vineyards are managed organically, grapes are hand-picked and then very gently whole bunch pressed - yielding very clear juice, so very little debourbage (settling of the must) is carried out prior to fermentation. The process is watchful, but natural where possible, with intervention only where necessary. Wines are fermented and aged in a mixture of tank and oak futs, after which there is no tartrate stabilisation and only the lightest of filtrations. These exquisite, clear as a bell, wines are sheer joy; they are characterised by their great clarity and quality of fruit, more than minerality, and offer as much calm and balance as they do aromatic excitement.