Mâcon Uchizy, Meurgey-Croses, 2022
Mâcon Uchizy, Meurgey-Croses, 2022
- 75cl
- 13%
- White Still
- Chardonnay
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2029
“Fennel tops on the nose (and finish) defines this very elegant, entry level Macon. Salty grapefruit nose, and riper yellow apples, leads to a smoky, succulent attack, and peardrop-shaped mid-palate, which broadens in middle with ripe orchard fruit and nutmeg, but tightens at end.”
Tom Harrow, Head Wine Guru
Our second vintage from Pierre Meurgey, who divides his time between vineyards in Mâcon and the Cote d’Or, the latter being made in Château de Bligny, formerly the winemaking base of Jane Eyre. Pierre characterises 2022 has having “ripeness and preserved freshness". He suggests that despite the hot year the wines do not have the same concentration as 2020 - which were more forced because of the early harvest, and instead show a greater natural balance, being made from “happy fruit” as he puts it.
He notes the wines have gained more body during élévage but retain a fresher style than normal solar vintages. Head Wine Guru Tom's notes are a little brief as an unexpected appointment to taste the Hospices de Beaune 2023 wines at the cuverie prior to this year’s auction cut across our appointment so we raced through these wines with almost indecent haste! We highly suggest you take your time to appreciate them more leisurely as there is plenty to enjoy here.
Currently showing beautifully integrated fruit and mineral elements, this 2022 is drinking well now with all components in harmony. Over the next 2-3 years, expect the fennel and herbal characteristics to become more nuanced while the orchard fruit develops honeyed depth. The wine should hold its peak until 2029, maintaining its elegant structure while gaining subtle complexity.
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale gold with a fresh, bright clarity.
NoseFennel tops leap from the glass with salty grapefruit and riper yellow apples. There's a distinct herbal quality that's both savoury and inviting.
PalateSmoky, succulent attack gives way to a peardrop-shaped mid-palate that broadens with ripe orchard fruit and warming nutmeg. The wine tightens elegantly towards the finish, showing real structure.
FinishThose distinctive fennel tops return with saline persistence.
Overall impressionAn elegant entry-level Mâcon with character well above its station.
Food Pairings
In the Mâconnais, this would naturally accompany the local Chaource cheese, whose creamy texture and slight tang complement the wine's mineral precision and fennel character. Escargots de Bourgogne would be a classic pairing, the garlic and parsley butter echoing the wine's herbal notes. Pike from the nearby Saône, simply prepared with butter and herbs, allows both the fish's delicate flavour and the wine's elegant structure to shine. The local coq au vin blanc transforms this very bottle into a cooking wine and drinking wine simultaneously, creating perfect harmony between cellar and kitchen.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 10-12°C to preserve the wine's fresh mineral character and distinctive fennel aromatics. No decanting required - pour directly from the bottle to maintain the wine's elegant, precise style. Use a medium-sized white wine glass that allows the aromatics to concentrate without overwhelming the delicate herbal notes. This wine benefits from being opened just before serving rather than being allowed to warm and expand.
Uchizy sits on limestone-rich soils in the southern reaches of the Mâconnais, where the gentle slopes catch morning sun but avoid the harshest afternoon heat. The calcareous bedrock provides excellent drainage while retaining enough moisture to keep vines comfortable during warm vintages. These conditions create wines with the mineral backbone typical of limestone terroir, while the slightly warmer microclimate compared to northern Burgundy allows for riper fruit development and more generous body.
Mâcon-Uchizy represents village-level Burgundy at its most approachable, offering genuine Chardonnay character without the premium of its more famous northern neighbours. The appellation covers vineyards around the commune of Uchizy in the southern Mâconnais, where regulations permit only Chardonnay for white wines. These wines bridge the gap between basic Mâcon-Villages and Pouilly-Fuissé, delivering more personality and site-specific character than generic regional bottlings while remaining refreshingly affordable. The style tends towards elegance rather than power, with mineral precision taking precedence over oak influence.
The 2022 growing season in Burgundy began with a worryingly dry spring that had vignerons checking soil moisture levels weekly, followed by a summer that alternated between intense heat and welcome rainfall. The vines handled the stress remarkably well, producing smaller berries with concentrated flavours, though yields dropped significantly across both the Côte d'Or and Chablis. Harvest began earlier than usual, with many producers picking in late August under bright skies.
What emerged from the cellars shows a vintage of surprising finesse given the challenging conditions. The Pinot Noirs display vivid fruit and firm tannins without the jammy weight you might expect from a hot year, whilst the Chardonnays retained their mineral backbone alongside ripe stone fruit flavours. We're finding the village-level wines particularly compelling right now, drinking beautifully with just a year or two of bottle age, though the premier and grand crus will reward patience until the late 2020s.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Distinctive fennel and herbal notes with salty grapefruit, ripe yellow apples, and a smoky, mineral-driven palate that's both elegant and structured.
When should I drink this wine?
Perfect now until 2029, showing beautiful integration of fruit and mineral elements with room for further development.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Excellent with creamy Burgundian cheeses, escargots, simply prepared river fish, or any dish where you want elegant white wine character without overwhelming richness.
How should I serve this wine?
Serve chilled at 10-12°C in medium white wine glasses, no decanting needed - just open and pour to preserve its precise, mineral character.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Yes, but for medium-term drinking - it will develop lovely honeyed complexity over the next few years and hold beautifully until around 2030.
How does this compare to other Burgundy?
This represents excellent value village-level Burgundy, offering genuine site character and elegant Chardonnay expression without the premium pricing of more famous appellations.
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