Domaine Merlin : Saint-Véran Village "Le Grand Bussière" 2020

Tasting characteristics and recommendations for the Saint-Véran Village "Le Grand Bussière" 2020 from Domaine Merlin

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a pale yellow hue adorned with golden highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic complexity with notes of white fruits, notably white peach and pear, complemented by delicate floral nuances reminiscent of hawthorn and acacia. Hints of citrus, especially lemon and grapefruit, bring freshness, while subtle exotic notes evocative of Muscat enhance the bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, the wine captivates with its flattering texture and silky, generous character. The attack is supple, supported by well-judged acidity that structures the whole without undue sharpness. The palate expresses white-fruit flavors consistent with the nose, while the finish evolves toward pronounced mineral impressions, lending a saline dimension that extends the tasting with persistence and precision.

Food and wine pairings

This Saint-Véran Village "Le Grand Bussière" 2020 is an ideal match for seafood, notably oysters and shellfish, as well as grilled or poached white-fleshed fish such as sole or turbot. It also pairs beautifully with roasted poultry served with light cream-based sauces or beurre blanc, as well as delicate vegetable preparations and creamy risottos. Cooked pressed cheeses such as Comté or Beaufort also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

The Saint-Véran Village "Le Grand Bussière" 2020 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 11 and 13°C. Brief aeration of around thirty minutes before serving helps fully reveal its aromatic complexity. This wine can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve favorably until around 2030.

A Saint-Véran with a mineral character and a precise expression of Burgundian terroir

The estate

Founded in January 1987 by Olivier and Corinne Merlin in La Roche-Vineuse in the southern Mâconnais, Domaine Merlin has established itself as one of the benchmarks of southern Burgundy. Since November 2017, the couple’s sons, Paul and Théo Merlin, have joined the family estate, bringing the total vineyard under family management to around 22 hectares spread across the communes of La Roche-Vineuse, Davayé, Vergisson, Fuissé, Chaintré and Solutré. The estate primarily grows chardonnay (80% of the vineyard), complemented by pinot noir and gamay. Recognized by the Bettane and Desseauve guides (3 stars) and La Revue du Vin de France (1 star), Domaine Merlin embodies an environmentally respectful winegrowing philosophy, favoring practices close to organic farming and minimal intervention winemaking to reveal the authenticity of each terroir.

The vineyard

The Saint-Véran "Le Grand Bussière" comes from a single 0.77-hectare plot located in the commune of Prissé, at the heart of the Saint-Véran appellation. This terroir benefits from a due-south exposure at around 280 meters above sea level, promoting gradual ripening of the grapes while preserving essential natural acidity. The soils are composed of Quaternary clay-limestone (Bathonian), particularly rich in minerals, which give the wine its hallmark mineral signature. Vinified separately since the estate’s creation in 1987, this plot is one of the founding terroirs behind Domaine Merlin’s reputation.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage began with a mild winter followed by a changeable spring. Summer proved hot and sunny, with periods of drought that encouraged optimal concentration in the grapes. These conditions yielded generous, well-balanced berries combining ripeness and freshness—key characteristics for crafting high-quality white wines.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Saint-Véran Village "Le Grand Bussière" 2020 are harvested by hand into small crates. After direct pressing of whole clusters, the must undergoes cold settling without enzymes. Alcoholic fermentation is carried out exclusively with indigenous yeasts, allowing an authentic expression of the terroir. Aging takes place in oak barrels for twelve to eighteen months, with a limited proportion of new oak to preserve the wine’s aromatic purity. No fining is performed, and only a light filtration precedes bottling.

Grape variety

100% chardonnay