Maison Roche de Bellene Saint-Véran 2018

The other side of the Chardonnay coin from Maison Roche de Bellene! Where the Montagny leans lush, the Saint-Véran is all about precision and minerality. Hailing from the south of the Mâconnais – where fossiliferous Jurassic limestone soils give Chardonnay its distinctive stony edge – this wine opens with a fine, tight, mineral-inflected aroma, and then blooms on the palate into a citrus-floral parade of fennel, white flowers, lime, and lemon, with a chewy, mouth-watering finish that is equal parts refreshing and engaging. Bright, detailed, and completely serious for the price. Don't sleep on this one.