Marcel Couturier

Domaine Marcel Couturier has rapidly become a reference in the Mâconnais. Established in 2005 in the commune of Fuissé this small 11 hectare estate is relatively new yet has already acquired beautiful vineyard holdings in the main appellations of Mâcon, Loché, Saint-Véran and Fuissé in less than 20 years. Marcel is now assisted by his son Auxence and daughter Cladie. Since 2017 Cladie has taken responsibility for winemaking while Auxence works the vines with his father. And in just the last few years, the estate has moved to organic and bio-dynamic viticulture, with certification in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

There is notable diversity of soil types in this area with soils not only of limestone and clay but also sandstone and schist, all due to the complex tectonic movements that uplifted the Monts du Mâconnais millions of years ago.

The fruit from each vineyard and soil type is vinified separately with a consistent approach to winemaking across all the plots, allowing the terroir speak with the greatest clarity. All the fruit is whole bunch pressed without sulphur. Both the alcoholic fermentation and the malolactic conversion occur naturally in traditional Burgundy barrels. The wines are matured for 11-15 months on fine lees in barrel without batonnage and without any sulphur additions. All this reveals a lightness of touch to the winemaking and there is just one racking prior to bottling and only a minimal, safe sulphur addition at bottling.

The result is a range of wines that offer wonderful aromatic purity and flavour complexity in a style that is at once fine and elegant yet brimming with palpable energy.

Dry whites

Marcel Couturier today produces 13 different cuvées and for our first shipment we have selected the three wines that we feel best represent the work of the family.

2022 Mâcon-Loché Les Longues Terres
From vines around 30 years old in clay limestone and marl soil located in the village of Loché. Aged for 11 months on fine lees without sulphur and bottled with a small but safe amount, giving the wine great purity and terroir definition. This great wine is perfectly balanced between richness and freshness. Intense aromas of acacia, honeysuckle, vanilla, and hints of toast appear on the nose. Its orchard fruit flavours deliver finesse, elegance and length on the palate. Pure, fine, generous and long, finishing dry and fresh.

‘Well-ripened, tasty with notes of pear. A very indulgent, fresh and juicy wine, served with very precise aging, and which will soon be enjoyed.’ 91 points, La Revue du Vin de France, July 2024.

2022 Mâcon-Fuissé
From one small parcel comprising just three barrels comes this incredibly fine Macon which shows excellent dimension filling the mouth with dry, crystalline flavours. Incredible clarity, persistence and length on the palate. Very precise and impressive.

‘Notes of nougat and honey, rich and full of flavor, beautiful density of flesh and full-bodied persistence: excellent energetic and ample white, quite vibrant on the finish, full of vitality.’ 92 points, La Revue du Vin de France, July 2024.

2023 Pouilly-Fuissé Clos Scellés
While most of the estate's wines are bottled after 11 months ageing on fine lees, this is bottled after 15 months due to its intensity and strength of character. This Pouilly-Fuissé is a blend of two vineyards: Pouilly-Fuissé Clos Reyssié has vines more than 80 years old in Chaintre on silty, clay and limestone dominated soils; and Pouilly-Fuissé Les Scellés comes from vines more than 50 years old in Fuissé, planted on the hillside on schistous clay soils with an easterly exposure.

Clos Scellés has a golden yellow colour. On the nose there are complex aromas of white flowers, yellow fruits, and candied lemons. On the palate, it is generous and mouth filling with a crisp, ‘sweet’ fruitiness, lots of finesse and a beautiful mineral finish.