Saint-Véran Climate „La Bonnode“ Ovoide Zen AOC 2021

Wine Description for Saint-Véran Climate „La Bonnode“ Ovoide Zen AOC 2021 by La Soufrandière

Colour & Appearance

Medium straw yellow, crystal clear and brilliant in the glass.

Nose

This Chardonnay aged in concrete egg displays a fascinatingly green aromatic profile: lime dominates ahead of lemon, joined by green apple and yellow greengage plums. Fresh kitchen herbs and an elegant chalky-mineral character round out the bouquet – cooler and more restrained than the barrel-aged variants from the same vineyard site.

Palate

Here reveals itself the true magic of the Ovoïde: the wine possesses a unique, almost stone-grinding texture – precise, smooth and yet of remarkable depth. Citrus fruit carries the flavour profile, supported by stone fruit notes. The vibrant acidity builds tension continuously and culminates in a finish marked by the characteristic mouth-watering salinity of the Bret brothers – a hallmark of this estate.

Finish

Long, juicy and with increasing intensity. The salinity and vibrating acidity linger for minutes and practically demand another sip – or food.

Terroir & Origin

The tiny two-hectare parcel La Bonnode sits at 250 metres elevation below the Roche de Vergisson in Saint-Véran. The easterly exposure and clay over limestone soil lend the wine its mineral precision. The 35-year-old vines were hand-harvested on 22nd/23rd September 2021.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Chardonnay, whole-bunch pressed and spontaneously fermented. Ageing took place over 17 months initially in a concrete egg, then in neutral vats. Only lightly sulphited before bottling (total sulphur: 29 mg/l, pH 3.21) – an almost natural wine that bears the imprint of its vessel.

Food Pairing Suggestions

The saline minerality and taut acidity make this Chardonnay an ideal companion for roast chicken with lemon and verbena, asparagus with gribiche sauce and steamed char or a Breton seafood platter.

Special Characteristics

This wine impressively demonstrates how the ageing vessel shapes a wine’s character. The concrete egg lends it a distinctive, almost sculptural texture – greener, cooler and more mineral than its barrel-aged siblings from the same vineyard site.