1996 Domaine Guffens-Heynen Mâcon-Pierreclos Le Chavigne

Produced from grapes harvested at 13.5% natural potential alcohol, the Macon-Pierreclos Le Chavigne has an amazingly ripe and intense white-fruit-filled nose. On the palate, this expansive, powerful, elegant, and concentrated wine displays layers of minerals, stones, gravel, pears, and buttered white raisins. It is is vibrant, muscular, extracted, and magnificently harmonious. My experience with previous vintages of this wine, including a recently tasted 1985 and 1986, indicate that it will evolve beautifully with cellaring. Projected maturity: 2000-2007+. The score, noted on a range and in parentheses, indicates that the wine was tasted from barrel. The 1996 Guffens-Heynen wines are spectacular. Guffens and his wife harvested over a 45 day period, from September 19 to November 2 (a miniscule amount of wine was produced for their personal consumption from grapes harvested on November 11). Over the course of his twenty years in France, Guffens says he never saw a vintage with such perfect harvesting weather as 1996. As the harvest dragged on grape sugars kept rising and yet the health and vibrant acidity levels of the grapes were maintained (the grapes he harvested on November 11 had a natural potential alcohol of 17.85% - mind-blowingly high in any region of the world - yet its acidity is quite present). While these may be the most expensive wines of the Maconnais, they are worth it. A Peter Vezan Selection (Paris Fax # 011-33-1-42-65-42-93), importers include: North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel (510) 848-8910, and a Patrick Lesec Selection (Paris Fax # 011-33-1-44-70-62-93).