Chardonnay Côte Chalonnaise 'Buissonnier', Cave de Vignerons de Buxy, 2022
Chardonnay Côte Chalonnaise 'Buissonnier', Cave de Vignerons de Buxy, 2022
- 75cl
- 13%
- White Still
- Chardonnay
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2028
Buxy sits at the southern end of the Côte Chalonnaise, and the cooperative here has been quietly doing excellent things for decades. This is Burgundian Chardonnay without the Côte d'Or price tag — which is exactly why we love it. The 2022 is bright and focused, with green apple, lemon zest, and a clean stony quality that keeps it lively from first sniff to last sip. Not a wine that shouts, but one that earns your attention with every glass.
Crisp acidity, a smooth mid-palate, and enough freshness to cut through a plate of fruits de mer or a simple bowl of pasta. Drink up until 2028 for peak pleasure — this is very much a wine for the here and now.
What the critics say:
"Fresh, mineral driven wine with hints of stone fruit, pear drop, wet pebbles and key lime pie. (Silver)"
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale gold with a faint green tinge, clear and bright in the glass.
NoseFresh and inviting, with green apple and ripe lemon at the fore. There's a clean, chalky quality underneath that gives it definition. No new oak intrusion — this lets the fruit speak clearly.
PalateCrisp and light-to-medium bodied, with citrus and orchard fruit carried by lively acidity. The texture is smooth without being heavy, and there's a pleasant mineral thread running through the mid-palate. It stays focused and doesn't outstay its welcome.
FinishClean and refreshing, with a flinty, dry close that lingers just long enough.
Overall impressionHonest, well-made Burgundian Chardonnay that delivers exactly what you want from it — no frills, all pleasure.
Food Pairings
In the Côte Chalonnaise, this style of Chardonnay would find its way onto the table alongside local freshwater fish — pike perch with beurre blanc is a classic pairing that the wine's acidity handles beautifully. Charolais beef may be the region's most famous product, but the locals know that a cold glass of white Burgundy with a plate of jambon persillé or a slice of époisses on the young side is one of Burgundy's quiet pleasures. Simple gratins, quiche aux poireaux, or a dish of snails in herb butter would all be at home here too.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at around 10-12°C — cold enough to keep the acidity lively, but not so cold that you lose the fruit. No need to decant; simply open and pour. A standard white Burgundy or Chardonnay glass with a moderate bowl works well, focusing the citrus and mineral notes without over-aerating.
The Côte Chalonnaise vineyards around Buxy sit at moderate altitude on a mix of limestone and clay soils — the same geological backbone as the Côte d'Or to the north, though with less concentrated heat and a slightly cooler, more continental microclimate. This cooler influence preserves natural acidity in the Chardonnay, giving wines from here their characteristic freshness and lift. The limestone drains well and encourages the vines to dig deep, which adds a mineral quality that distinguishes Chalonnaise Chardonnay from flabbier examples further south.
The Côte Chalonnaise is Burgundy's often-overlooked middle child, stretching south of the Côte de Beaune through the villages of Bouzeron, Rully, Mercurey, Givry, and Montagny. Wines labelled simply 'Côte Chalonnaise' sit beneath the village appellations in the hierarchy but benefit from the same grape varieties and broadly similar soils as their more famous neighbours. The appellation allows Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and produces wines with genuine regional character at a fraction of the price of Meursault or Puligny. Think of it as Burgundy with its guard down.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Crisp and fresh, with green apple, lemon zest, and a clean mineral quality throughout. It's light-to-medium bodied with bright acidity and a dry, refreshing finish — classic Côte Chalonnaise Chardonnay without any oak weight.
When should I drink this wine?
Now, without hesitation. The 2022 is at its most vibrant and expressive right now. We'd drink it until 2028, but sooner rather than later is the call here.
What food should I pair with this wine?
Seafood is the obvious match — oysters, mussels, or grilled fish all work well. It's also very happy alongside light pasta dishes, a simple omelette, soft goat's cheese, or a plate of charcuterie. Anything that benefits from a lively, refreshing white will find a friend here.
Should I decant this wine?
No need. Open it, pour it, and enjoy it. A simple white wine glass is all you need — nothing elaborate required.
Is this worth cellaring?
Not particularly. This is a wine made for pleasure, not patience. The freshness and fruit that make it appealing now won't improve with time. Drink it young and enjoy it for what it is.
How does this compare to other white Burgundies?
It sits below village appellations like Rully or Montagny in the Burgundy hierarchy, but it draws on the same limestone soils and Chardonnay tradition as its more celebrated neighbours. For everyday drinking, it offers genuine Burgundian character at a very accessible price — that's exactly what makes it a favourite of ours.
OUR GROWERS
Cave de Vignerons de Buxy
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