Domaine Thibert - Saint-Véran Bois de Fée 2017

This large estate in Fuissé now spans 30 hectares, comprising a wide range of terroirs with great potential for future Premier Crus. Sandrine and her brother Christophe manage the property, and Christophe meticulously oversees the wines, constantly striving to improve them. His commitment to releasing them with as much of a vintage gap as possible is commendable. Vineyard-specific winemaking is skillfully carried out in magnificent, modern facilities that are perfectly suited to the task. The short-term goal is to convert the entire estate to organic farming. This is undoubtedly a leading estate in the Mâconnais region, where you’ll find age-worthy wines that are consistently crisp and well-structured.

Coming from a dynasty of winemakers spanning eight generations, Andrée and René Thibert founded their own estate in 1967 on 2.5 hectares. Today, their children, Sandrine and Christophe, co-manage a 20-hectare vineyard. A (very) reliable choice from the Mâconnais region.

The 2017 Saint-Véran Bois de Fée blends notes of citrus oil, crisp green apple, and Anjou pear with an elegant hint of marzipan and vanilla bean. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, silky and layered, with lovely acidity and a long, briny finish, the tasting went very well.

Although its aromas are restrained, the palate reveals some aspects of its style: a very pronounced minerality, notes of fresh limestone, and Chablis-like tension—a wine for patient connoisseurs.

Founded in 1967, the estate spans nearly 30 hectares spread across the appellations of Pouilly, Mâcon-Fuissé, Mâcon-Prissé, Mâcon-Verzé, and Saint-Véran. It is family-run by Christophe Thibert and his sister Sandrine, in collaboration with the meticulous Fabien Duperray (see Domaine Jules Desjourneys, in Beaujolais). The estate is gaining momentum. The majority of the lineup reflects precise ripeness and masterful aging, as well as great aging potential, as evidenced by the most recent vintages. We are close to earning a second star.