Guffens-Heynen Saint-Véran 'Clos de Poncetys' 2023

Out of thousands of continually changing different listings at Noble Rot, we've probably drunk more Guffens-Heynen wines than any other. These are world-class Burgundies that can easily rival the great Grand Crus of the Côte d’Or.

Now in his mid-sixties, Jean-Marie's story is a roller-coaster ride of epic highs and lows most people can only imagine, and is among the most remarkable of any winemaking great.

Whether tri-harvesting grapes from the same vineyard at different ripeness levels to add depth, or improvising élevage in an array of different barrels and tanks, Jean-Marie could be Mâconnais wine’s answer to Miles Davis – although, as a Pink Floyd devotee, he’d probably opt for Roger Waters instead.

Read the full story in 'Portrait of an Iconoclast' (Noble Rot, Issue 23). Better still, uncork one of Jean-Marie's scintillating new releases and revel in the tension, textural richness, and stony/chalky/saline minerality.

Saint-Véran 'Clos de Poncetys' is Jean-Marie's rarest wine. Around 900 bottles are made, and only in exceptional years like 2023 (the last vintage was 2018). The fruit comes from the best, south-facing slopes of Clos de Poncetys. It's a dense, ripe wine with exceptional intensity - the ultimate expression of the vineyard and the Guffens style.