Les Vignerons de Mancey is a unique small cooperative cellar in the Mâconnais region, significantly smaller than the larger cooperatives. This structure allows them to blend wines from various plots while also producing wines from individual growers, or "cooperateurs."
The cooperative comprises around 60 growers across approximately 130 hectares of vineyards, with production varying yearly based on the number of active growers. Their annual output is about 500,000 bottles, including 60,000 bottles of Crémant. While some wine is sold to negociants, this constitutes only a small portion of their overall production.
During a visit, winemaker François Chapuis highlighted his approach to organic farming on 15 of his hectares, with a focus on Aligoté. He practices cordon royat pruning, which yields smaller bunches and enhances the freshness of the grapes. In 2023, he also introduced a unique vineyard technique called en foule sur echalas, planting eight varieties, including Syrah, resulting in their first vintage of 800 kg.
The Wines
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Les Vignerons de Mancey Bourgogne Aligoté 2022: 11.5% ABV, linear and bright with sweet pear and citrus notes, nice weight, and a stony finish. 88/100.
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Domaine Dupré Bourgogne Aligoté 2022: Organic, showcasing stony lemony fruit with a lively finish. 91/100.
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François Chapuis Bourgogne Aligoté En Marigny 2022: Composed and textured, with a salty finish. 89/100.
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François Chapuis Mâcon-Villages 2020: Mineral-driven with sweet pear and spice notes. 90/100.
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François Chapuis Mâcon-Mancey 2021: Lively, precise with good freshness and a mineral finish. 91/100.
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Frédéric Touzot Mâcon-Cruzille 2022: Juicy fruit with a grainy finish. 89/100.
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Mancey Les Essentielles de Mancey Mâcon-Mancey 2022: Textured with ripe fruit and good intensity. 89/100.
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Mancey Abbatia Mâcon-Mancey 2022: Aged in barrel, presenting nutty oak and bright fruit. 87/100.
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Domaine Dupré Mâcon Rosé 2022: Soft and dry with textured fruit. 86/100.
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François Chapuis Mâcon-Mancey Rouge 2021: Intense cherry and raspberry fruit with potential for aging. 93/100.
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François Chapuis Bourgogne Pinot Noir Les Confréries 2021: A lighter style with savory notes. 93/100.
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François Chapuis Crémant de Bourgogne Extra Brut 2020: Lively, featuring cherry and lemon with a nice grip. 91/100.
For more information, visit their official site: Les Vignerons de Mancey.