Tasting Notes
Over the years, the name En Crazy seems to have referred variously to pitifully low yields, a nod to the Cras mountain, which overlooks the Pierreclos vineyard, or one of the Pierreclos lieux-dits, classically known as Crazi. But we like to think of it as Jean-Marie’s homage to the nickname given to him by Robert Parker—The Crazy Belgian. This year’s version blends the first juices from the vines at the bottom of the Chavigne hillside and the second-pressing juices from the older vines at the apex of this lieu-dit. The 2022 aged half in concrete vats and half in old barrels. Wonderful finesse, purity, and Value with a capital V!
“Satiny and generous, the 2022 Mâcon-Pierreclos En Crazy bursts with aromas of orange oil, peach, white flowers, nutmeg and fresh bread. Medium to full-bodied, bright and textural, it's a giving, enveloping wine that will drink well out of the gates.” 88-90 points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
Over the decades Jean-Marie Guffen’s predisposition for ruffling feathers may have, at times, overshadowed the significance of his many triumphs. Today I think people simply accept that Guffen’s straight-shooting style simply comes with the territory. Indeed, the bullshit-free universe that Guffens inhabits may in fact be one of the key reasons why he has become such an important and influential grower in Burgundy. Trying to make better-than-Grand Cru whites in the Mâconnais? What kind of personality would try such a thing? Only an iconoclast, able to see through the cultural straight jacket of his times and recognise things as they might be in an alternative universe.
There is still a great deal of poor viticulture in the Cote d’Or and there are many great and historic terroirs in them Mâcon. If you work to the highest possible standards in these latter terroirs, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to achieve greatness. Guffens saw this and he was right. Now others are following his lead. There’s no doubt that when the stars align, as they so often do here, Domaine Guffens-Heynen is nigh on untouchable.
| Product Type | Wine White Chardonnay |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | France |
| Region | Burgundy |
| Sub Region | Macon |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |