Pouilly-Fuissé 'Vers Châne' 2023, Château de Lavernette

Affordable prestige from Pouilly-Fuissé. Searching for a Chardonnay that exudes the opulent depth of a grand Pouilly-Fuissé while excelling in crystalline, liquid precision? The Pouilly-Fuissé 'Vers Châne' 2023 by Château de Lavernette delivers the definitive answer. The Boissieu family, master winemakers for generations on the border of Burgundy and Beaujolais, demonstrates how multi-layered complexity and a silky texture merge in this biodynamic cuvée.

In the glass, it displays a radiant golden-yellow glow. The nose opens with an inviting bouquet of honeyed blossom and crisp white grapefruit, elegantly backed by notes of ripe stone fruits, flint, and mild spices. On the palate, it is broad, supple, and mouth-coating: a full, rounded texture featuring the subtle butteriness and brioche typical of top terroirs. Flavors of lemongrass and wild floral honey balance against a deep, stony mineral core. Aged for an impressive 22 months in French oak barrels, the wine acquires extra gastronomic layers of crème brûlée, toast, and a touch of ginger, leading into a long, energetic finish with a saline twist.

Key Highlights

• Terroir: 100% Chardonnay sourced from 'Vers Châne', the estate's latest-ripening parcel (0.8 ha) with an easterly exposure. Old vines (planted in 1956 and 1999) root deeply in rich clay-limestone marl soils.
• Winemaking & Ageing: Hand-harvested with a modest yield of 45 hl/ha. Whole-cluster pressing, natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts, and an extended 22-month maturation in French oak barriques (15-20% new oak) on the fine lees.
• Sustainability: Fully biodynamic and Demeter-certified since 2007, farmed with deep respect for ecosystem balance and terroir purity.
• Tasting Profile: Rich, silky, complex, and mineral-driven. Notes of white grapefruit, honeyed blossom, stone fruit, flint, crème brûlée, brioche, ginger, and a saline finish.
• Ageing Potential: Exceptional now, with the structural focus to cellar gracefully over 5 to 10 years.

Food Pairing

• Fish & Shellfish: Outstanding alongside raw oysters, grilled trout, halibut, swordfish, pan-seared river perch, or soft-shell crab.
• Poultry & Meats: Excellent match for guinea fowl suprême, wild game birds, pork chops, or classic snails in garlic herb butter.
• Gastronomy & Cheese: Pairs wonderfully with wild mushroom and quinoa risotto, as well as rich blue cheeses or soft, sharp cheeses.
• Serving Suggestion: Best served between 8°C and 12°C in generous Burgundy crystal glasses to allow its complex aromatics to expand.

The Terroir of Vers Châne

The 'Vers Châne' parcel is the easternmost and latest-ripening vineyard at Château de Lavernette. Its subsoil of clay-limestone marl retains moisture and mineral salts efficiently. This allows the old Chardonnay vines planted in 1956 and 1999 to undergo a slow, balanced ripening cycle, imparting mineral flintiness and cellaring potential.

About Château de Lavernette

Château de Lavernette is a historic family estate located where Burgundy meets Beaujolais. Fully biodynamic since 2007, the Boissieu family manages the vineyards with utmost care. Their philosophy behind 'Vers Châne' relies on extended fine lees maturation and judicious oak usage, resulting in layered, authentic terroir wines.