When we shape our portfolio, we look for wines that “punch above their weight.” These are wines that exceed expectations based on the price tag and the name on the label. For overperforming white Burgundies, many of our favorites come from the towns of St-Aubin and Santenay.
Located just south of Chassagne-Montrachet, Santenay offers much of its neighbor’s golden richness. The wines are rarely as complex, but the pricetags are far friendlier. In a warm year and with a careful vigneron, Santenay can be a source for really impressive white Burgundy.
Clive Coates MW calls Roger Belland “one of the best sources in the village.” Together with his daughter Julie, Belland crafts excellent wines with cool, fresh fruit and beautiful balance. They are the fifth and sixth generations of the Belland family to work this property, and know their land and vines intimately.
Belland’s 2018 Santenay 1er cru blanc is a few hundred yards from the Chassagne-Montrachet border, and drinks like it’s from much fancier terroir. From a warm year, this is rich and mouthfilling without being heavy. The nose bursts with exotic notes of mango, white flowers, pineapple and lemon peel; the mouth is round, smooth, and rich but with excellent freshness and terrific length.
Burghound found a “beguiling succulence,” calling it “sleek and nicely detailed.” Serve this with Julia Child’s chicken with mushrooms and cream.
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Belland Santenay 1er “Beauregard” blanc 2018
bottle price: $45
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