The 2023 Saint-Véran Lieu (Inter)dit has turned out nicely, unwinding in the glass with aromas of pear, confit citrus, white flowers, toasted nuts and iodine. Medium to full-bodied, its broad and ample attack segues into a racy, concentrated and chalky palate. 2024 - 2034
This hugely popular wine is made from grapes grown in the "Côte Rôtie" vineyard, whose name the growers have been forbidden to use due to its more famous namesake in the Rhône. There is also a small amount of juice from the "Terres Noires" vineyard that Guffens used to make as a single vineyard wine, until the yields become so low as to make it impractical. Pale in colour with an impressive density on the nose, you can feel the weight and concentration of fruit wrapped up in a lightly smoky, flinty array of white flowers, white peach and pear. The palate shows confit citrus on entry, immediately fleshing out with riper tones of stone fruits. There is a seductive smokiness from the wood, but it is always in balance with the fruit and carried by a generous and glossy texture. A wine with rounded edges, yet always in balance. Long, layered and intense on the finish. Another excellent Lieu (Inter)dit.
