Switzerland • Graubünden • Bündner Herrschaft • Malans • Chardonnay • Domaine Donatsch • “Unique” 2023

Domaine Donatsch – Chardonnay Malans “Unique” 2023

A flagship and rare cuvée from the estate: a Malans Chardonnay crafted in a Burgundian style, aged in new oak barrels and sought after for its density, precision and mineral signature.

Terroir & parcels

The wine is classified Malans, AOC Graubünden, in the Bündner Herrschaft region of eastern Switzerland, one of the country’s most renowned wine areas. The vineyards benefit from a relatively mild alpine climate, strongly influenced by the warm foehn winds, which promote full ripening while preserving freshness and aromatic clarity.

Regional descriptions highlight limestone-rich soils with glacial deposits such as moraine and alluvial cones, combining calcareous, schistous and stony elements. This geological framework contributes to the distinctive mineral profile often associated with wines from Malans.

According to the estate, “Unique” is a rare, selection-based Chardonnay vinified in the spirit of a Grand Vin: fermentation and aging in 100% new oak barrels (pièces), in a style explicitly inspired by Burgundy, with careful attention to balance and oak integration.

Tasting notes

Nose:
A complex and nuanced bouquet, often described with notes of peach and almond, alongside citrus and yellow fruit tones. Some tastings mention a subtle smoky / reductive hint on opening that gains precision with aeration.

Palate:
Full-bodied and dense, structured by ample texture and a pronounced sense of minerality. Reports emphasize the balance between a creamy mouthfeel and fresh acidity, with oak described as well integrated despite the use of new barrels.

Finish:
Long and persistent, often marked by a saline impression and lingering mineral resonance. Several sources note that the wine benefits from aging and shows a notable cellaring potential.