2018 Albert Bichot Saint-Veran Burgundy 750 ml

The 2018 Albert Bichot St.-Véran is so alluring, so crisp and complex that we wouldn’t have dared let it disappear into the cellars of Burgundy’s savvy wine-buyers. If the torrent of four- and five-star reviews are any indication, Wine Access members couldn’t be happier, calling this Chardonnay “fantastic,” “awesome,” and the “best expression of unoaked Bourgogne Blanc I have tried.”

On our last trip to Burgundy, our importer friend Quentin ordered an undistinguished but vaguely familiar bottle of white Burgundy over dinner, and we looked forward to a blissfully uncomplicated table wine.  

But rather than the one-note Chardonnay we were expecting, we got a wine that was so lively, generous, and mouthwatering that we had to ask, “Sorry, how is this so good?” Quentin just smiled and revealed the bottle: It was an Albert Bichot. 

Thanks to producers like Bichot who have taken a hands-on interest in its viticulture, the Mâcon region is shining brightly. In fact, we learned that St.-Véran is seeking Premier Cru recognition for some of their vineyards. Based on this bottle, they clearly deserve it.

The Bichot family has roots in the region that go back to 1350. In 1831, Albert Bichot founded the maison, and nearly 200 years later it’s still an independent, family-run company, overseen by sixth-generation descendant Albéric Bichot. Albéric’s visionary tenure is the reason Bichot has been quietly upping the quality game.

Bichot has won Winemaker of the Year awards from Le Journal de Paris and Wine International Challenge, and International Trophies from the Decanter World Wine Awards.

We’re thrilled that our chance encounter with Bichot’s 2018 St.-Véran led us to secure this stellar white-Burgundy value.