Saint-Véran Climate „La Bonnode“ Ovoide Zen AOC 2022

Wine Description for Saint-Véran Climate „La Bonnode“ Ovoide Zen AOC 2022 by La Soufrandière

Colour & Appearance

Medium straw yellow with brilliant clarity, reflecting the precise work of the Bret brothers.

Nose

This Chardonnay presents itself with restraint and elegance – less citric and nutty than its siblings from the same vineyard site, yet more finely balanced. Bright fruit merges with a subtle creaminess and delicate chalky notes into a harmonious whole that prioritises finesse over opulence.

Palate

Here the magic of concrete egg reveals itself: the texture is silky and finely polished, creamier than the two other Bonnode variants. The acidity initially appears restrained, then unfolds with impressive power and drive, electrifying the wine. A mouth-watering salinity – the signature of Bret wines – runs through the palate and lends the wine a fascinating tension.

Finish

Long and precise. The acidity remains present through to the end and combines with the characteristic salinity to create a finale that invites the next sip.

Terroir & Origin

The two-hectare parcel La Bonnode sits at 250 metres altitude below the Roche de Vergisson, facing east. The soil of clay on limestone imparts the wine’s mineral character and structure. The 35-year-old vines produce grapes with concentrated expression.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Chardonnay, hand-harvested at the end of August and beginning of September 2022. Following whole-bunch pressing, spontaneous fermentation took place, followed by 17 months of ageing initially in concrete egg, then in neutral cuvées. Minimally sulphited (39 mg/l total sulphur), pH 3.28. The egg imparts the wine’s distinctive, creamy texture.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Roast chicken with preserved lemon, pan-fried salmon with pea pesto and sautéed potatoes or a Breton seafood platter pair perfectly with the wine’s salinity and creaminess.

Special Features

One of four variants from the same vineyard site – a fascinating example of how different ageing methods can modulate the character of a terroir. Ageing in concrete egg lends this wine its characteristic, finely polished texture and makes it the most elegant version of the Bonnode series.