Rich & Oaky

Famille Paquet Saint-Véran Les Cras 2021 From vines planted in 1987 on stony limestone-clay soils, organically farmed and aged sur lie in oak for a year before refinement in stainless steel, this is a wine of precision and poise. Nose: Aromas of mandarin zest, blood orange, white flowers, and a cool menthol lift, underpinned by subtle oak spice. Palate: Linear and focused, with bright citrus, saline minerality, and a creamy-stony texture that rolls across the palate in waves. Finish: Long, refined, and chalky, with a whisper of hazelnut and a lingering freshness. Style: Classical, restrained, terroir-driven Chardonnay. Score JS : 93 points Drink Window: 2024–2030 Score: 93 points Reviewer: Stuart Pigott for JamesSuckling.com “Creamy-stony texture that rolls over your palate in one great wave. Enormously long and refined finish. From organically grown grapes. Fermented and matured sur lie for a year in oak, then eight months in stainless steel. Drink or hold.”

Famille Paquet Pouilly-Fuissé Premier Cru 2023 From organically farmed vines planted in 1958 and 1980, this is a cool, focused expression of southern Burgundy Chardonnay, fermented and matured sur lie for 12 months in oak, followed by 8 months in stainless steel. Nose: Wonderfully complex and enticing, with aromas of toasted hazelnuts, candied lemon, seashells, and a whisper of smoke. Palate: Medium-bodied yet mouth-filling, with chalky minerality and citrus zest driving the core. The texture is creamy but taut, with a breathtakingly long, smoky finish that’s polished and persistent. Style: White – Buttery and Complex Score: 93 points – James Suckling Drink Window: 2025–2030 Pairing: Ideal with shellfish, roast poultry, or creamy pasta. Score: 93 points Reviewer: Stuart Pigott for JamesSuckling.com (June 2024) “An instantly appealing Burgundian chardonnay that you don't have to be an expert to enjoy. Effusive nose of quince with delicate notes of candied orange peel and butterscotch. Stacks of fruit in the middle of the medium-bodied palate, then a wonderfully bright, stony finish. The excellent balance suggests this will develop well for a few years. Drink or hold.”