Simonnet Saint Bris Auxerroix 2023

This structured and 'crystalline' white wine originates from France, within the unique Saint-Bris A.O.C. appellation of the Yonne department in northern Burgundy, located just southwest of Chablis. Produced by Simonnet-Febvre a historic Burgundian estate founded in 1840 and now operated under the stewardship of Maison Louis Latour this wine highlights the exceptional, singular terroir of Saint-Bris, the only appellation in Burgundy permitted to grow Sauvignon varieties rather than Chardonnay. Sourced from choice vineyard plots in the lieu-dit 'Auxerrois' (referring to the historic Auxerre district), the vines are rooted in Kimmeridgian and Portlandian limestone-clay soils rich in fossilized marine shells (Exogyra virgula). The cool, northern continental microclimate features crisp winds and bright solar radiation, allowing Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris to achieve full phenolic maturity while locking in a razor-sharp, mouthwatering natural acidity.

Wine Description

Simonnet-Febvre Saint-Bris Auxerrois presents a luminous, pale straw-yellow color in the glass with bright chartreuse and silver reflections along the rim. Its sensory profile is exceptionally fresh, high-toned, and complex, delivering an energetic, mineral-driven, and precisely focused portrait of northern Burgundian terroir. The bouquet opens with a soaring display of citrus zest, green apple, and white peach, seamlessly layered with complex underlays of lemongrass, white floral blossoms, crushed chalk, and a distinct line of oyster-shell minerality. On the palate, the wine is light-to-medium-bodied, sleek, and athletic, showcasing a vibrant core of crunchy orchard fruit, lemon curd, and delicate tropical accents. It is characterized by its outstanding inner energy and an incisive, mouthwatering backbone of natural acidity that cuts cleanly through the mid-palate fruit texture. The mouthfeel is weightless, supple, and linear, carrying into an extraordinarily long, dry, and mineral-driven finish accented by lingering notes of lime peel and flint.