2021 SAINT-VÉRAN, Domaine de la Croix Senaillet. Burgundy

Saint-Véran is situated above and below the grandest appellation in Mâcon, Pouilly-Fuissé. It was given its appellation as something of a token gesture – “your vineyards are clearly pretty good, and more-or-less the same as those in Pouilly-Fuissé, so let’s grade you as number two, the support act to the big name”. Styles vary a lot, depending on producer, but a good example should be richer and more serious than anything just called Mâcon, if not quite as big (and certainly less oaky) than a Pouilly.

UK agent, Thorman Hunt:
“Based just outside the village of Davayé, Richard and Stéphane Martin took over from their father in the early 1990s. What was a 6.5 hectare domaine has now grown to some 25 hectares, spread over 52 individual parcels – nearly all surrounding their modern winery in the commune of Davayé. Since 2006, they have been totally organic and are now certified as such.
The Mâcon Davayé is from 3.8 hectares, facing south, south-east averaging 30 years old, spread over 8 parcels of Jurassic limestone and clay soils.”

Just 10% of the wine is matured in barrel. This is clean, rounded, very satisfying Chardonnay; extremely versatile with all kinds of food, or even on its own.