Domaine Michel Vire-Clessé Tradition 2023
We have 4 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
The Mâconnais [mah-koh-NAY] is southern Burgundy, but it is still unmistakably Burgundy: limestone-rich slopes, clay-limestone topsoils, favorable exposures, and elevations that suit Chardonnay extremely well. From The geology is dominated by brown and calcic limestone, often mixed with shallow soils formed from weathered limestone bedrock, and in Viré-Clessé [vee-ray kleh-say] specifically, are some of the best sites.
What separates it from the Côte de Beaune is a different shape and scale. The Côte de Beaune is smaller, more prestigious, and more obsessively parcelized, with centuries of market attention focused on famous villages and climats. The Mâconnais is broader, hillier, and generally warmer, which means Chardonnay here often shows a little more generosity and fruit up front, while still retaining the mineral line that comes from limestone soils. That is exactly why it can be such good value. You still get serious limestone-grown Chardonnay from historic Burgundian ground, but without the pricing pressure attached to Meursault, Puligny, or Chassagne.
Domaine Michel’s Tradition bottling is the estate’s principal cuvée, drawn from old vines grown in clay-limestone soils around the village of Cray. That terroir gives the wine its shape: enough texture and ripeness to feel generous, but with a limestone core that keeps everything focused, bright, and precise.
The Wine
This is 100% Chardonnay, fermented and aged in stainless steel to preserve purity and site expression. There are no commercial yeasts and no chaptalization, and both fermentation and élevage are carried out under temperature-controlled conditions. The result is a wine that feels pure and crystalline rather than worked over: clean orchard fruit, citrus, white flowers, a subtle chalkiness, and a bright, clean finish. There is no oak here and no heaviness. This is the kind of bottle that can convert Chardonnay skeptics because it shows the grape with clarity, energy, and freshness.
The People
The Michel family has been established in Cray and cultivating vines there since at least 1850, making them one of the longstanding families of this corner of the Mâconnais. Following Marcel Michel, the domaine took an important step forward in 1970 when the family began bottling its own wines, with the aim of fully capturing the character of this terroir rather than selling fruit or wine anonymously. Since 1996, Franck Michel and his nephew Vincent have led the estate, with Franck overseeing the cellar and Vincent the vineyards, while Denis Michel remains part of the broader family operation. Today the domaine farms with a clear sense of continuity: traditional in outlook, serious about quality, and deeply tied to the identity of Viré-Clessé.
Food Pairing:
Best with roast chicken, seafood, creamy pastas, and simply prepared dishes with butter, lemon, or fresh herbs. It has enough richness to handle fuller flavors, but still stays fresh and lifted with lighter flavors.
We ship wine to most states with a $100 minimum order for shipping. We don't ship spirits nor beer.
Weather shipping advisory: Orders placed during times of extreme heat or extreme cold will be held for no charge until more favorable weather returns.
The Chalonnaise and Mâconnais, located in the southern part of Burgundy, are regions known for their approachable and characterful wines, both red and white. The Mâconnais is especially celebrated for its Chardonnay, producing white wines with a rounded texture and a core of bright fruit and minerality. The Chalonnaise, though also known for Chardonnay, sees great use of Pinot Noir and Aligoté, with a focus on freshness and vibrancy. While often overshadowed by the Côte d'Or, these regions offer a unique blend of tradition and value, showcasing a diversity of terroirs and styles, while still maintaining the overall character and grace that is Burgundy.
Burgundy - Chalonnaise & Maconnais
Chardonnay, one of the world's most versatile and beloved white grape varieties, showcases a remarkable spectrum of styles, from the lean, mineral-driven expressions of Chablis in France to the rich, buttery, and oak-aged versions from California's Napa Valley. Its adaptability extends to cooler climates such as Burgundy, where it achieves elegance and complexity, and to regions like Australia's Yarra Valley, known for producing vibrant and fruit-forward renditions. This grape's ability to reflect its terroir, coupled with winemaking techniques, results in a wide array of profiles, including unoaked, crisp varieties with apple and citrus notes, to full-bodied wines with tropical fruit flavors and creamy textures.
