DOMAINE DE LA CROIX SENAILLET

We first visited this domaine over 20 years ago and are now delighted to work with Domaine de la Croix Senaillet in the UK. We drank their wines and monitored their improvement over the years and we now think that they are making some of the most delicious, pleasurable wines in the appellation.

Based just outside the village of Davayé, Richard and Stéphane Martin took over from their father in the early 1990s. What was a 6.5 hectare domaine has now grown to some 25 hectares, spread over 52 individual parcels – nearly all surrounding their modern winery in the commune of Davayé. Since 2006, they have been totally organic and are now certified as such.

The Mâcon Davayé is from 3.8 hectares, facing south, south-east averaging 30 years old, spread over 8 parcels of Jurassic limestone and clay soils. It is vinified entirely in stainless steel tanks. The Saint Véran Classique is from 40 separate parcels around the village, with an average age of 45 years, planted on Jurassic limestone and clay soils. Elevage is for 10 months in mainly stainless steel with a small amount of oak barrels. En Pommard comes from 50-year-old south-east facing vines on pure limestone soils with small surface stones, vinified in half stainless steel and half barrel. Grande Bruyere is a 1.5 ha south facing plot on marne soils rich in silica and vinified in large foudres. Les Buis is from east-facing, chalky soils covered with a layer of clay and vinified in stainless steel cuves.

The wines are gorgeously, crisp, fresh, pure, crystalline, minerally, concentrated and intensely flavoured, and are highly recommended.

www.domainecroixsenaillet.com