2006 Chanson Père et Fils Vire Clesse

This was hanging around the summer fridge for a while. It had found it's way into some ice-tubs at a few backyard barbies but never got cracked. So we banged it last night with pizza and a few mates.

I didn’t expect such a golden hue from an 06 but there it was – not in a developed kind-of way, but a gentle richness of colour  –  and a little sparkle. The matchstick bouquet hit me from the outset – leapt out of the glass  –  and this flinty minerality remained at the core throughout. It’s at the citrus end of the spectrum – lemons and limes, unripe white peach and nectarine characters and lovely floral notes floating in and out and, in and out. A touch of spice too.

The palate is fresh and zingy yet richer than expected – stone-fruits and minerally lime; medium-bodied, and a neat balance between acidity, fruit and oh-so-subtle oak. It has a steady line throughout. It fleshed out in the mouth yet still retained that citrus element, particularly lemon-zip, pulling out some melon and fig characters to round out.

Vibe
Yeah, I liked it. Enjoyable with home-made pizzas in the weber on a warm January night with a few buddies. Great with the pizza and would equally suit seafood and salads – general light Mediterranean fare really. I liked it without having my thongs blown off. I might even buy some.
Value: I think this retails around $30 in Australia. It was a sample so I couldn’t tell you!
Tasted: Jan 2011
Closure: Cork 

Tech-head
Producer: Chanson Pere et Fils - www.vin-chanson.com
Region: From the villages of Vire and Clesse in the Macon region, south of Burgundy.
Site: Soils are limestone and clay, vineyards face south-east.
Vintage: 2006 started awkwardly in the region however the sun appeared and all was well for the remainder, and the people rejoiced. Excellent really.