Vézelay Chardonnay 2023, Domaine Sainte Madeleine

A rising star from northern Burgundy. Vézelay stands among the smallest and most exclusive appellations in Burgundy, covering merely 80 hectares in total — a drop in the bucket compared to the 5,800 hectares of neighboring Chablis. The Vézelay Chardonnay 2023 from Domaine Sainte Madeleine represents a rare find from this historic pilgrimage site. Founded by the talented husband-and-wife team Alexandre and Blandine Le Corguillé, this young estate is already earning comparisons to the celebrated early vintages of icons like Thomas Pico (Domaine Pattes Loup).

In the glass, it presents a bright pale-gold color with vibrant reflections. The nose opens alluringly with aromas of ripe white peach, juicy citrus, acacia blossom, and a subtle, refined nutty nuance. Thanks to the clay-rich soils of Vézelay’s rive droite (right bank), the palate is generous, textured, and mouth-coating. Ripe stone fruit and velvety weight blend seamlessly with a crisp, mineral-driven tension, resulting in a pristine and beautifully balanced finish.

Key Highlights

• Terroir: 100% Chardonnay sourced from south-east facing slopes in Tharoiseau and Saint-Père (Vézelay AOC), rooted in clay-limestone soils. Vine material was sourced from a famed Savoie nursery supplying top producers like Domaine Raveneau.
• Winemaking & Ageing: Hand-harvested with strict sorting. Whole-cluster pressed followed by spontaneous alcoholic and malolactic fermentation using native yeasts. Aged entirely in stainless steel vats to preserve pure fruit and mineral focus. Minimal total sulfur added strictly at bottling.
• Sustainability: Organic viticulture prioritizing biodiversity, soil health, and natural vineyard balance.
• Tasting Profile: Generous, texturally coating, refined, and mineral. Notes of ripe white peach, juicy citrus, acacia, toasted nuts, and a crisp chalky finish.
• Ageing Potential: Accessible and vibrant now, with the structural focus to cellar gracefully over 3 to 6 years.

Food Pairing

• Fish & Shellfish: Outstanding alongside pan-seared sea bass, grilled langoustines, raw oysters, ceviche, and poached cod in light citrus cream sauce.
• Poultry & Light Dishes: Excellent match for roasted chicken, veal cutlets, leek quiche, or warm goat cheese salads.
• Cheese: Pairs wonderfully with soft and semi-hard cheeses like Crottin de Chavignol, Chaource, and mild Comté.
• Serving Suggestion: Best served chilled at 10°C to 12°C in generous white wine crystal glasses to allow its complex aromatics and texture to unfold.

The Terroir of Vézelay

Located 45 kilometers south of Chablis, the picturesque hilltop village of Vézelay is famed for its UNESCO-listed basilica and historic pilgrimage routes. The steep clay-limestone slopes flanking the Cure River offer Chardonnay vines an exceptional microclimate. While the left bank yields linear minerality, the clay-rich soils of the right bank (rive droite) endow the wines with extra richness, ripe white peach fruit, and a coating, supple texture balanced by cool northern acidity.

About Domaine Sainte Madeleine

Situated in Tharoiseau, Domaine Sainte Madeleine was established in 2020 by agronomists and enologists Alexandre and Blandine Le Corguillé. After acquiring their first plot in 2016, the couple cultivated a boutique 4-hectare domain. Utilizing premier vine selections, organic farming, whole-cluster pressing, and wild yeast fermentations, Alexandre and Blandine craft crystalline, low-intervention white Burgundies praised by critics for their precision and authenticity.