2022 La Soufrandiere La Bonnode Biodynamic St-Veran Maconnais, Burgundy

The 2022 Saint-Véran Climat La Bonnode, which is, in fact, the source for the Aligoté, has plenty of yellow fruit on the nose. It's well-defined with melted candle wax and pressed white flowers. The palate is nicely balanced and citrus-driven on the entry: orange zest mixed with pear and lychee. It flows nicely towards its composed finish. This marks a step up from the previous vintage.

90 points Neal Martin vinous.com

La Soufrandière La Bonnode Biodynamic St-Véran is a luminous and finely detailed Chardonnay from the southern reaches of Burgundy’s Mâconnais region. Made by the Bret Brothers, Jean-Philippe and Jean-Guillaume, this wine comes from the La Bonnode vineyard just outside the village of Davayé—an exceptional site nestled at the foot of the iconic Roche de Solutré. It’s a wine that marries mineral drive with graceful fruit, delivering an elegant and expressive take on St-Véran through the lens of meticulous biodynamic farming.

The vineyard sits on Jurassic limestone soils with a southeast-facing slope that brings natural freshness and finesse to the fruit. Certified biodynamic by Demeter since 2006, La Bonnode is farmed entirely by hand with a deep respect for soil health and biodiversity. In the cellar, the grapes are whole-bunch pressed, fermented with native yeasts, and aged in older French oak barrels and foudres for texture and depth without overt oak character.

In the glass, the wine opens with aromas of white peach, lemon zest, wildflowers, and a hint of almond. The palate is racy and poised, showing citrus and orchard fruit layered over chalky minerality and gentle lees richness. It’s a wine of clarity and subtle complexity, ideal for those who appreciate Chardonnay with restraint and precision.

La Bonnode is a standout example of what the Mâconnais can deliver at its best—site-specific, organically farmed, and alive with energy. Pair it with grilled fish, roast chicken with tarragon, or goat’s cheese for a seamless match.