Chapoutier Trenel St.-Veran 2017, AOC Saint-Véran

This Saint-Véran is a modern rendition of Bourgogne Chardonnay from a higher appellation. Pale gold in colour, this Saint Véran offers up an intense and complex combination of aromas, mingling stone fruits and white flowers. Its generous palate, rounded and balanced with a long, acidulous and mineral finish, endows this wine with a pleasant and characteristic freshness.

The AOC Saint-Véran was created in 1971 and forms the link between the southern parts of Burgundy and the northern regions of Beaujolais. The appellation includes several villages on both sides of Pouilly-Fuissé on the slopes of the rock of Solutré, which gives riper wines. Only white wines permitted for production, though. Trénel's Saint-Véran is a blend of several cuvées sourced from the south and west-oriented parcels in the municipalities of Saint-Véran and Davayé, which carefully chosen for their clay-limestone soils. The vines range from 20 to 60 years of age.

The fermentation process takes place in 75 per cent stainless-steel and 25 per cent French oak. The wine went through complete malolactic fermentation, partly in oak, partly in stainless-steel. Hence there is certain creaminess.

The score is high, like 91 Points | Antonio Galloni (2017), who writes:

"Pungent aromas of lemon pith and quince pick up a mineral nuance with air. Pliant, energetic and dry, showing very good depth to the juicy, mineral-laced citrus and orchard fruit flavors, which deepen slowly on the back half. Rich yet energetic in style, finishing silky and very persistent, with resonating minerality and a lingering floral note."