Famille Cordier
— About —
THE ESTATE
Roger Cordier started the Domaine in 1930 with just 5 hectares. When Christophe took over in 1987 he stopped selling to negotiants and focused on improving the vineyards, converting to organics & reducing yields.
THE VINEYARDS
The estate is now 32 hectares including some of the best vineyards in Pouilly Fuisse and surrounding Macon appellations, “a mosaic of parcels’ as described by Christophe, understandably so when he confirms that there are over 120 differing plots. He has being farming organically since 2018 and hopes to acquire certification from the 2021 vintage, alongside adopting biodynamic principals for his entire Domaine. He’s eliminated the use of tractors completely from his Domaine, using exclusively horses for vineyard work.
1er Cru status – After alot of campaigning from 2020 Pouilly Fuisse was awarded 1er Cru status for 22 specific vineyards of which Cordier own parcels in 4. Christophe emphasised that the INAO have applied very strict rules to be classified at 1er Cru, almost certified organic requirements, something he’s a big supporter of.
THE WINEMAKING
In 2015 he opened a new entirely gravity fed winery in Fuisse with the aim to take even more care during the vinificaiton and aging process. All fruit is hand picked, whole-bunch pressed with 90% of all movements in the wine production process done by gravity. Natural yeasts on all wines. All wines are fermented in large wooden vats or foudre. Christophe has been moving toward’s large format oak for some years now, particularly 500ltr. No fining, light filtration. Bottled by gravity.
INTRO FROM BURGHOUND – 2022
“Christophe Cordier, who now farms fully 35 ha of vines, said that he has now converted the entire domaine to biodynamic farming. Along with that major change, he explained several others that include using the Diam 10 model of composite cork for the entire range, using no sulfur until after the malolactic fermentation is complete and no lees settling. He further noted that because of not adding sulfur until after the malo means that his wines will have a more golden color when they’re young but that they have a much lower risk of oxidation. As to the 2020 vintage, he called it another “precocious vintage as we started picking on the 20th of August! Yields were not very generous at between 30 to 35 hl/ha though potential alcohols were very good, ranging as they did from 13 to 14%. The fermentations were long and slow, so it was necessary to keep a close eye on them to avoid any technical issues. With respect to the style of the wines, I find the 2020s to be very balanced with good freshness and verve. They should be approachable young but have the ability to repay short to mid-term cellaring.” I was impressed with quite a number of wines in the range, particularly those from Pouilly-Fuissé, and they are worth your interest”