Saint-Romain blanc „Sous le Château“ AOC 2022

Wine Description for Saint-Romain blanc „Sous le Château“ AOC 2022 by Henri & Gilles Buisson

Colour & Appearance

Intense straw yellow with luminous brilliance – a Chardonnay that already announces its concentration and precision in the glass.

Nose

Aromatically bright and remarkably fresh, this Saint-Romain presents itself with a fascinating wisp of flint smoke and subtle oak notes enveloping aromas of lemons and mandarins with their zests. These are joined by yellow plums and the exotic note of cape gooseberries – a fragrant interplay between minerality and fruit.

Palate

Here reveals itself a Chardonnay of impressive precision and clarity. Unadorned and straightforward, with cool incisiveness and an almost steely character that recalls great Chablis. From the warm vintage of 2022, remarkably little is evident – instead, a taut, vibrant acidity dominates, lending the wine tension and backbone. The yellow fruits on the palate are perfectly balanced by this mineral freshness.

Finish

Long and precise with sustained acidity structure. The mineral component remains present through to the end, leaving a cool, saline aftertaste.

Terroir & Origin

The vineyard site Sous le Château is south-east facing at 340 to 380 metres altitude near the village of Saint-Romain. The vineyard features colluvial soil on limestone – a terroir that gives this wine its characteristic minerality. The 30-year-old Chardonnay vines benefit from the exposed hillside position and the cooling altitude.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Chardonnay, hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressing. Spontaneous fermentation and malolactic fermentation in wooden barrels. Ageing takes place over 10-12 months in a thoughtfully composed blend of barrels of various sizes (228-500 litres), concrete eggs and WineGlobes – only 10% new wood. The Biodyvin-certified winery works with minimal sulphur (40-50 mg/l total sulphites) and only coarse filtration.

Food Pairing Suggestions

The mineral freshness and taut acidity make this wine an ideal companion for grilled chicken with chilli powder and limes, prawns with onion, tomato and turmeric or quesadilla with yellow tomato salsa.

Special Characteristics

A Saint-Romain that demonstrates that great Burgundy wines need not necessarily come from Premier Cru vineyard sites. The cool elegance and Chablis-like minerality make it a hidden gem for lovers of precise, unvarnished Chardonnays.