Maison Roche de Bellene Bourgogne Chardonnay, Cuvée Réserve 2021 750ml

The Maison’s entry-level white Burgundy comes from old-vine parcels in the Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise. The vines have an average age of 48 years and, as with all the wines, harvesting is done by hand. After gentle pressing in a vertical basket press, native yeast fermentation and 100% malolactic fermentation occur in barrel. The wine is then aged in French oak casks, of which 5% are new. It undergoes no bâtonnage and is lightly fined and filtered before bottling. Aromatically the wine has notes of bright, fresh grated lemon zest, as well as a buttery, lemon pie scent. The palate is full bodied with a deliciously creamy mouthfeel that isn’t weighty, with a dash of acidity and a spiciness that lingers.