Domaine Marcel Couturier Bourgogne Blanc, 2023, AOC

A single-vineyard Chardonnay from southern Burgundy

From the village of Loché in Burgundy’s southern Mâconnais comes a beautiful Chardonnay filled with generosity, freshness and the delicate perfume of spring.

“Aux Scellés” is the registered name of the vineyard site a specific parcel situated beside Domaine Marcel Couturier’s winery. The vines are approximately 15 years old and grow on distinctive schistous soils composed of variegated clay, with finer silty soil toward the top of the vineyard.

This special terroir gives the wine two beautiful personalities: ripe, juicy Chardonnay fruit balanced by a fine freshness that keeps it elegant, vibrant and unmistakably Burgundian.

The Couturier family

Domaine Marcel Couturier was established in 2005, although Marcel comes from a long family history of winegrowing in the southern Mâconnais.

Today, Marcel works alongside the next generation, his children Auxence and Cladie—from their domaine overlooking Loché, Mâcon and the Bresse plain.

In French, couturier means “tailor” or “dressmaker.” It feels like the perfect name for this family, who craft each wine with precision and tailor every cuvée to its individual vineyard and soil.

Organic and biodynamic farming

The Couturier family farms organically and biodynamically, focusing on soil health, biodiversity and the natural balance of the vineyard.

The domaine received Ecocert organic certification in 2021 and Demeter biodynamic certification in 2022. Cover crops and estate-made compost are used to encourage living soils and help the Chardonnay retain its natural freshness and acidity.

How is it made?

The Chardonnay is harvested by hand and aged for eight months in the domaine’s oldest Burgundy barrels.

Because the barrels are already well seasoned, they do not give the wine a strong new-oak flavour. Instead, they gently build texture, softness and complexity while preserving the purity of the fruit.

This creates a rounded and expressive Chardonnay that feels generous and silky without becoming overly buttery, heavy or dominated by oak.

What does it taste like?

Pale gold with an attractive light-green tint, this wine evokes the beginning of spring.

Delicate scents of linden blossom and chamomile lead into ripe yellow apple, pear, white peach and juicy yellow fruit.

On the palate, it is ample, fleshy and wonderfully generous, with a soft texture and an abundance of fresh fruit. A fine, lively acidity runs through the wine, balancing its richness and carrying it toward an elegant, refreshing finish.

An elegant Old World Chardonnay

This is not a heavily oaked New World Chardonnay. It is an elegant Old World expression: ripe and generous, yet floral, restrained and beautifully fresh.

Ageing in old barrels contributes texture and depth rather than obvious vanilla or toasted-oak flavours. It is ideal for Chardonnay drinkers who enjoy richness but still want freshness, purity and finesse.

87 points Jasper Morris MW

Jasper Morris MW described the 2023 as pale in colour with a light-green tint and a classic Mâconnais nose. He noted its eight months of maturation in the domaine’s oldest barrels and recommended drinking it from 2025 to 2027.