Part of the southern Burgundy region, Mâconnais whites are almost exclusively made from Chardonnay, but usually have less lofty prices than of those made in the Côte d'Or to the north.

Appellations in the Mâconnais range from simple Mâcon-Villages to Saint-Véran, and the more well-known Pouilly-Fuissé.

Although two bottles received no points, tasters were happy with the tasting overall, citing the diversity of bottles and compatibility with different food.  The top two bottles were separated by only one point.

Interestingly, the two bottles that received no votes were both made by the same producer, but from different vintages and vineyards.

Thanks to Eric and Jennifer for their opinions as guest tasters.

First Place: Louis Latour Pouilly-Fuissé 2007.  Focused aromatics of green apples, grass, parsley, watermelon, Bartlett pears, wet stone, and flowers.  Jennifer noted "candied citrus peel".  Well-balanced and dry, with honeydew, red apple, lime, lemon, and hints of tropical fruit.  Ali felt that it "finishes green".  Received 28 points.  Jennifer's bottle.  About $30.

Second Place:  Henri Perrusset Mâcon-Villages 2006.  Meyer lemon, minerals, and chamomile on the nose.  The pretty, tart palate features honey, flowers, unripe apricot, and red apple flavors.  Received 27 points.  Kristin's bottle.  About $19.

Third Place:  Domaine Saumaize-Michelin Les Sertaux Mâcon-Villages 2006.  Eric noted "can of chopped up green olives", and Jennifer sensed "low tide" on the nose, while other tasters found scents of ripe red apples, cream, and apricots.  Oily texture, where the oak, vanilla, red apple, green bean, fresh herb, tomato plant, pepper, and clove flavors showed up.  David and Jennifer felt that it was over-oaked.  Received 16 points.  Andy's bottle.  About $30.

Domaine Vincent Sangouard Saint-Véran Le Trois Bousquet 2007.  Grassy on the nose, along with mint, bell pepper, bubble gum, glycerin soap, pineapple, and cotton candy.  Flavors reminiscent of nectarines, white peaches, rambutan, grapefruit, and apples.  Earthy on the finish, where Eric noted "dirty towel", and "viscous saliva".  David felt that it was "front loaded".  Received 7 points.  Ali's bottle.  About $14.

No points:

J.A. Ferret Pouilly-Fuissé Le Vernays 2004.  Buttery nose, along with diet soda, lilac, oak, ammonia, aspartame, green olives, chalk, and pickles.  Rich in the mouth, and featuring green onion, daikon radish, cream, and new French oak flavors.  Eric noted "wild onion tops".  No points.  Eric's bottle.  About $35.

J.A. Ferret Pouilly-Fuissé Les Scéles 2006.  Tasters were reminded of earwax, acetone, chocolate, and petroleum on the nose.  Eric noted "auto body shop", while Kristin found "some type of apple . . . that's gritty and doesn't taste good".  Fleshy palate, with an oily texture that was soft, metallic, and fishy with unripe fruit.  Banana on the finish.  David felt that it "hangs in the mouth for a while, but not with a flavor I like".  No points.  David's bottle.  About $35.

Also tasted:

Chateau Fortia Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee du Baron 2003.  Winner of the "Chateauneuf Shootout" in February 2006, this bottle was complex, powerful, and still youthful.  Plenty of tobacco, smoked meat, wet leaf, white pepper, dust, and mushroom aromas.  Tasters found cola, black cherry, and licorice on the palate.  About $35.
JUNE 2009:  MACONNAIS SHOWDOWN
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