Vierge Blanche
⏳ Drinking Window
2018 - 2024
🍷 Vintage Profile
The 2016 growing season in Burgundy was defined by severe late-April frost events that dramatically curtailed yields, followed by sustained mildew pressure through early summer that demanded rigorous vigilance under lutte raisonnée protocols. Conditions improved dramatically by late July, ushering in a warm, dry late summer with high diurnal variation that allowed the surviving white grapes to attain complete phenolic maturity while retaining vibrant natural acidity. The resulting wines offer sharp mineral focus, vivid orchard fruit intensity, and classic Burgundian tension. At ten years from the harvest, regional white expressions from 2016 are at full maturity and should be enjoyed without further cellaring.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Fresh oysters on the half shell, grilled sea bass with lemon, goat cheese tart
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the classic clay-limestone terroirs of Burgundy, the 2016 'Vierge Blanche' is a narrative of triumph over adversity. The 2016 vintage is etched into Burgundian history due to a devastating late-April frost that severely decimated yields. However, the grapes that survived enjoyed a glorious, sun-drenched summer, leading to an incredibly concentrated and balanced harvest. True to its name, 'Vierge Blanche' (White Virgin) is crafted to deliver a pure, unadorned expression of the fruit. Fermented and aged primarily in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats to preserve its natural vivacity, this wine captures the quintessential tension of Burgundy whites, balancing crisp green apple and citrus notes with a distinct, chalky minerality derived from the ancient marine soils of the region.
🍾 About the Producer
Maison Émile Chandesais was established in 1933 by Émile Chandesais in Fontaines, positioned in the northern Côte Chalonnaise near the border of the Côte de Beaune. Historically renowned for its on-site cooperage that shaped its mastery over oak, the négociant house developed a reputation for selecting, aging, and blending regional cuvées with a focus on classical élevage. Today operating under the aegis of Compagnie Vinicole de Bourgogne with oenologist David Fernez directing technical operations, the house crafts approachable expressions spanning greater Burgundy. Sourcing grapes rooted in classic clay-limestone and marl soils subject to semi-continental conditions, Chandesais champions transparent varietal character, vibrant orchard acidity, and refined texture. Signature white cuvées such as Bourgogne Chardonnay 'Vierge Blanche' showcase bright stone fruit, citrus blossoms, and balanced, buttery richness, exemplifying an enduring house style defined by purity, regional harmony, and cellar precision.