Domaine Perraud is one of the benchmark estates of the Maconnais, and I am so happy their wines are now available in North Carolina. When I tasted their Saint Veran recently, I really had to keep my poker face on, especially after my sales rep Steve Nelson of Grapevine Distributors told me the price. This should cost A LOT more!
2020 Domaine Perraud Saint Veran
Pure, bright, concentrated Chardonnay from one of the top estates of the Maconnais. - JS - 93 points
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Jean-Christophe Perraud is the fourth generation of his family to grow grapes in the Maconnais. The family's holdings are spread across five different villages, all of the farming is organic, and little or no oak is used during the fermentation or aging process. If I were teaching a class on the wines of the Maconnais, this is the wine I would use to help you understand the virtues of this region's white wines.
I love this quote from highly respected wine writer and critic Stephen Tanzer of Vinous Media, and I think it is quite relevant to the discussion of Perraud's wines. "For wine lovers who enjoy Chardonnay for its minerality and its ability to convey nuances of soil and site—rather than simply for its capacity to carry new oak past the blood-brain barrier—there is no better source of wine today than the Maconnais, especially if price is an issue.” Preach Stephen, you won't get any arguments from me.
Not only is Perraud's Saint Veran delicious, it's also an incredible value in fine White Burgundy. Fermented entirely in stainless steel, it is aged on the lees for 6 to 8 months. Offering up heady notes of white peach, apricot, white flowers, lemongrass, and rocky mineral, this is refreshing, vivacious, and invigorating on the palate. As the wine comes up in temperature and gets more air, it just gets better, as the mineral expression really comes through.
A perfect white to enjoy with poultry or richer seafood dishes, it drinks way above its price point. It also makes for a wonderful aperitif, so consider this one for your holiday parties and dinners. Cheers, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and keep drinking the good stuff!
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Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville