2023 Verget Mâcon Villages Terres de Pierres

As always, there is serious bang for your buck on offer here. This year’s Terres de Pierres (rocky soil) is drawn from a blend of sources located around the communes of Viré-Clessé and Charnay on Mâcon’s classic argilo-calcaire soils. Then, 20% from the shallow, stony terroirs of Pierreclos, Vergisson and Bussières brings a chalky spine into the mix. As always, the wine is mostly crafted from free-run juice, fermented and then matured on its fine lees (for four months with no bâtonnage) in horizontal stainless-steel tanks—designed to maximise interaction between the wine and its lees. It’s classic Verget: supple and athletic with ripe apple and hazelnut skin aromas working with chalky limestone notes, citrus oils, impressive drive and length and lovely balance. Hard to beat for the price.