2018 White Burgundy

This is an elegant, mineral St Véran, which gives little indication of the long, dry summer that characterised the 2018 vintage. It was raised in stainless steel, rather than oak, and bottled early (in March 2019) to emphasise its vibrant acidity and fresh, white-fruit aromas. It will gain texture and complexity in bottle, but is tough to resist now as an apéritif, or perhaps paired with a Caesar salad. Drink now to 2022.
Will Heslop, Burgundy Buying Assistant (spring 2019)

The 2018 crop was generous in the Mâconnais, but there was no negative effect on the quality of the wines – quite the opposite, in fact, in the case of the Mâcon-Villages from Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon, which contains de-classified fruit from some of the region’s most celebrated vineyards. As ever, this wine’s calling card is zippy acidity and a citrus-fruit attack segueing into richer stone-fruit notes on the mid-palate. A proportion of the ’18 was aged for six months in large oak foudres, contributing extra complexity and texture. A luxurious apéritif, it also pairs brilliantly will all manner of dishes from tandoori chicken to salmon and asparagus quiche. Drink now to 2022.
Will Heslop, Burgundy Buying Assistant (summer 2019)

From a vineyard with pale, pebbly limestone soil, this is the tensest, most mineral of Jean-Michel’s Pouilly-Fuissés. It’s raised in one-year-old oak barrels, which contribute an attractive buttery note to the nose. Despite the warmth of the vintage, there’s plenty of refreshing acidity on the palate. Easy to enjoy as an apéritif, it’s also a great match for chicken Caesar salad. Drink now to 2021.
Will Heslop, Burgundy Buying Assistant (August 2019)

The sunny, south-facing Crays vineyard tends to be the first harvested here. It produces a peachy, hedonistic Pouilly-Fuissé with satisfying weight and richness on the palate. Raised in a combination of new and one-year-old barrels, it’s a seductive proposition from the word go, and pairs particularly well creamy chicken or fish dishes. Drink now to 2021.
Will Heslop, Burgundy Buying Assistant (August 2019)