High-altitude Saint-Romain Chardonnay from old vines expresses unique limestone terroir.
Grape and Style
This wine is a white Chardonnay from the "Combe Bazin" plot in Saint-Romain, Burgundy. The vineyard, planted in 1990, produces expressive Chardonnay from its limestone-rich soil.
Terroir and Viticulture
The "Combe Bazin" vineyard is located in the valley below Saint-Romain le Haut, one of the two parts of this picturesque, high-altitude village. The 0.54-hectare plot sits at an impressive 360-400 meters altitude with a south/south-west exposure. The soil is clay and limestone, ideal for Chardonnay expression. The vineyard is densely planted at 10,000 vines per hectare and is managed using organic and biodynamic practices, focusing on soil health and microbial activity without chemical inputs.
Winemaking
The winemaking approach emphasizes minimal intervention to preserve the wine's terroir expression. Grapes are hand-harvested and carefully sorted in the vineyard. Slow pressing allows for gentle oxidation of the must. Fermentation occurs in large oak barrels using only wild yeasts, with 10% new oak. The wine ages for 12 months without stirring or racking. Neither filtered nor fined, this process results in a Chardonnay that authentically reflects its high-altitude origin, with an aging potential of 3 to 5 years and a yield of 42 to 48 hL/ha.