The 2020 Mâcon-Pierreclos Lieu Sécret is one of the highlights of the portfolio, offering up aromas of citrus zest, crisp green orchard fruit, vanilla pod and almond paste. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, it's chiseled and incisive, with fine depth at the core and a long, saline finish. As usual, it originates in the only part of lieu-dit Le Chavigne that Guffens doesn't own himself—or didn't, because in fact he purchased this parcel for Domaine Guffens-Heynen after the 2020 harvest.
This wine comes from the village of Pierreclos from a plot called “En Crazy” which is next to Domaine Guffens' “Chavigne” holdings. Verget’s team picks the grapes to produce this special cuvee only for Farr Vintners. The wine was vinified in barrels (25% new). The fermentation ended at the end of December ahead of ageing for a further 8 months. The Lieu Secret delivers another knockuot punch in 2020. There is a flesh, spice and richness reminiscent of Jean-Marie's Domaine wines on the nose here, with layers of ripe stone fruit and fresher citrus peel mingling together. The palate is glossy in texture, allowing the intense fruit core to shine. Hints of savoury spices and toast build through the mid palate, effortlessly layering complexity on the wine through to a long finish. This is already very moreish, and will drink well in its youth, but it should also improve with a year or two in bottle.
