I've been hard at work tasting new White Burgundies for the warmer months, and I found the perfect wine. The 2020 Jean des Valanges Saint Veran is not only a great value, it's also a complete, concentrated, and complex white wine as well.
The 2020 Burgundy vintage is one that everyone is talking about. High quality was produced in both whites and reds, and the overall character of the vintage can be summed up with one word: FRESH. I challenge you to find a better White Burgundy value than this one. Ten cases just landed, and I promise you this is clicking on all cylinders.
2020 Domaine des Valanges Saint Veran
Rich, ripe, and concentrated yet fresh and tactile White Burg at a great price!
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Saint Veran is located just northwest of Pouilly Fuisse, and the two AOC's possess nearly identical terroir. Furthermore, I've discovered over the years that Saint Veran can often match or even surpass the quality of Pouilly Fuisse. The only difference is price -- Pouilly Fuisses are fetching 1.5 to 2 times the price of Saint Verans. My advice: buy Saint Veran while prices are still more than fair.
Put more simply, BUY THIS WINE! There is so much to like here, but before I get into my tasting notes, I need to give you a key bit of advice. DO NOT SERVE THIS TOO COLD! Lynn and I had a bottle last week with crab cakes, and while it was great right out of the fridge, it dramatically got better as it came up in temperature. That richness and freshness interplay really showed nicely as the wine lost its chill.
Fermented entirely in stainless steel, this opens with lovely and pure aromas of golden apple, pear, peach, white flowers, and chalky mineral. The palate is equally engaging with good concentration and an overall full-bodied personality. Despite the wine's beautiful richness, it still maintains that hallmark characteristic of the 2020 vintage -- FRESHNESS!
Serve this noble White Burgundy with crab cakes, scallops, or lobster, and you'll be a very happy human being. Like most of the wines we feature, this would also be great without food. With the frost-plagued 2021 vintage looming, I would stock up on Burgundy if I were you. Cheers to happy drinking and eating in Asheville!
ORDER NOW in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville