There are still a few great Burgundy values to be found if you look hard enough, and I count the wines of Andre Bonhomme as some of the best. This certified organic estate is based in Vire-Clesse, one of the finest white wine villages in the Macon region. Old vines, organic farming, and meticulous work in the vineyard and the cellar have propelled this estate to mythical status.
These are wines that compete with and often out-class the best of the best Pouilly-Fuisses. Heck, they vie with Premier Cru White Burgundies from the Cote de Beaune. Yet, they cost a fraction of the price. Unfortunately, they are beloved in their home country, gracing the wine lists of many Michelin starred restaurants. Thus, there is not much available and based on past experience, I promise you these will not be around long.
1. 2020 Andre Bonhomme Vire-Clesse ‘Cuvee Speciale’
World Class White Burgundy At A Great Price!
Buy a Solid Six-Pack or More: $25.99/bottle -- Over 20% off!
Anything Less: $28.99/bottle ($32.99 regular price)
ORDER NOW in our online store. We will apply deal pricing once we receive your order.
2019 Andre Bonhomme Macon-Villages Vieilles Vignes
Old vine, concentrated, and layered Macon! One of the best in its class!!
ORDER NOW in our online store.
The Bonhomme family take their craft seriously. They were one of the first in the Maconnais to estate bottle their wines, opting not to sell their grapes to the local co-ops. They were also one of the first to gain organic certification. Those decisions paid off, as today, they are one of the iconic estates of the region.
The quality control story doesn't stop there. All grapes are hand harvested and after fermentation in stainless steel, the wine spends 18 months aging on its fine lees. These are both rare traits for the wines of this region, where production is often mechanized and hurried.
You can taste that attention to detail in the finished wine. Offering up a pale yellow/greenish hue in the glass, it offers up lovely notes of pear, peach, apple, spice, and wet rock. Rich and concentrated on the palate, it remains fresh and balanced by lemony acidity.
Totally drinkable now, the family recommends stashing a few bottles and trying them 5 years from now. Yep, the zingy acidity and intense concentration these 60+ year old vines yield allows this one to hold up much longer than almost any Macon Blanc I can think of.
I know some folks are going to ask me which one is my favorite, and I’m going to tell you right now that I’m not going to answer that questions. Both of these are world-class White Burgundies at wonderful prices. Get some of each.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville