Saint-Véran 'En Faux' 2022, Joseph Deshaires - Domaine de Beauregard

An insider secret from the Mâconnais: premier Burgundian quality from a renowned terroir at a fraction of the market price. The Saint-Véran 'En Faux' 2022 bottled under the Joseph Deshaires label is exact same single-vineyard cuvée as the famous release under Joseph Burrier (Château de Beauregard). Both labels house identical wine sourced from the same plot and aged in the same cellar. While the primary commercial label regularly fetches prices around 40 euros, the Joseph Deshaires label delivers the exact same liquid luxury, terroir depth, and precision at an exceptional value.

In the glass, it gleams with a bright, deep golden-yellow color. The nose opens expressively with aromas of ripe yellow orchard fruit, fresh citrus zest, juicy melon, and a subtle hint of hazelnut butter. On the palate, a seamless balance between generous maturity and a crisp, mineral structure immediately stands out. Flavors of ripe peach, wildflower honey, and toasted oak merge elegantly on the mid-palate. As the wine breathes, notes of toasted brioche unfold, leading into a long, pristine finish with vibrant citrus notes and a signature buttery texture.

Key Highlights

• Terroir: 100% Chardonnay sourced from 40-year-old vines in the south-facing single parcel En Faux on the Mont de Pouilly (270 meters elevation) in Chasselas. The subsoil consists of red-bronze clay resting over calcaire à entroques (limestone rich in fossilized sea lilies), a famous geological bedrock shared with top sites in Pouilly-Fuissé and Gevrey-Chambertin.
• Rating: Awarded 90/100 points by Jasper Morris MW (Inside Burgundy, March 2024).
• Winemaking & Ageing: Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts in 228L French oak barrels (pièces). Aged for approximately 12 months on fine lees, followed by a brief settling period in stainless steel tanks for precision and clarity.
• Sustainability: Sustainable and organic-oriented viticulture. Low-intervention cellar management prioritizing terroir transparency and natural energy.
• Tasting Profile: Rich, mineral-driven, creamy, and refreshing. Notes of ripe yellow fruit, citrus zest, melon, honey, hazelnut butter, toasted brioche, and a chalky, saline finish.
• Ageing Potential: The outstanding 2022 vintage is at a peak of balance and fruit expression now, possessing the structural depth to age gracefully over 5 to 8 years.

Food Pairing

• Fish & Shellfish: Outstanding alongside pan-seared or grilled white fish, seared sea scallops (Coquilles Saint-Jacques), poached lobster, and fish in rich cream sauces.
• Poultry & Classics: Excellent match for refined roasted poultry, poulet de Bresse with morels, pike quenelles, or traditional French andouillette.
• Cheese: Pairs wonderfully with regional goat cheeses from the Mâconnais (such as Mâconnais AOC) and aged hard cheeses.
• Serving Suggestion: Best served between 12°C and 15°C in generous Burgundy crystal glasses to allow its mineral bouquet and rich texture to expand.

The Terroir of 'En Faux' and Calcaire à Entroques

The En Faux plot perches on a favored, south-facing slope of the Mont de Pouilly at 270 meters elevation. What elevates this terroir is its soil composition of red-bronze clay over a bedrock of calcaire à entroques — a sedimentary limestone packed with fossilized crinoids (prehistoric sea lilies). This celebrated limestone formation, which underpins legendary Grand Crus in the Côte de Nuits, endows Chardonnay vines with vibrant mineral drive, saline complexity, and enduring texture.

About Domaine de Beauregard (Joseph Deshaires)

This family estate boasts a history spanning several centuries in southern Burgundy. Under the direction of the Burrier/Deshaires family, Domaine de Beauregard represents benchmark quality across Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint-Véran. In the cellar, gentle pressing and natural gravity settling are employed to preserve purity, polyphenols, and natural energy. Bottled under the Joseph Deshaires label for specific commercial markets, this release offers savvy wine lovers identical top-tier quality at a remarkable price point.