Tasting Notes
The story
This beautiful burgundy has been a favourite of mine for several years and I am delighted that the 2011 vintage is in the Wines With Attitude® portfolio. The Saint Véran appellation is on the southern edge of the Mâconnais area of southern Burgundy and many, though not all, of its wines age well; this is one that does. Domaine Thibert, run by brother and sister, Christophe and Sandrine Thibert, practises organic viticulture and minimum intervention preferring to let the "terroir" and the oak ageing show through in its wines.
The wine
This is everything you would expect from a great white burgundy; it is lovely and fresh with citrus, quince, almonds and honey on the nose. It is medium-bodied with a lovely creamy texture and rich, buttery long finish. Bear in mind this wine was tasted 12 months after the Robert Parker description below and has developed more body in that time, as these wines do. There are concentrated flavours of citrus fruits, almond, butter and honey. Every time I try this wine, I can't help but utter an appreciative "mmm".
If served too cold, you will miss all the beautiful flavours. Be careful pouring the last few drops as sometimes there may be a deposit which is harmless and a natural consequence of minimum or no filtration, ensuring, in Domaine Thibert's words, "full aromatic expression and richness of flavour."
This wine is developing nicely becoming richer and more opulent with a fuller body, silky texture and honeyed richness.
I am out of this lovely wine - but I'll be visiting Domaine Thibert shortly so will be stocking a later vintage and some of their other fabulous wines. In the interim I do have their
fabulous sparkling rosé wine, Crémant de Bourgogne, a great value alternative to Champagne.
Food Pairing
Recommended for drinking with fish, seafood including scallops, foie gras, roast chicken, ham, pork, veal, creamy sauces, parmesan cheese, mushrooms, truffle. Generally it is not so good with other cheeses, tomato-based sauces, Chinese food, Thai food and, though it has the body to stand up to many of them, curries.
Awards
86 points Robert Parker Aug 2013
"Bottled three months previously, the 2011 St Veran Champ Rond has a simple, fresh, delightful bouquet with crisp citrus fruit mixed with apple blossom and frangipane. The palate is light and crisp, perhaps needing a little more weight and substance on the mid-palate, but it offers a pleasant, unpretentious, punchy finish."
