Naudin-Ferrand Hautes-Côtes de Beaune 'Bellis Perennis' 2020

The youngest daughter of Henri Naudin, Claire took over the running of her family’s domaine in 1994. Although the estate includes some of Burgundy’s most prestigious climats, such as Echezeaux Grand Cru, Claire has garnered particular acclaim for her wines from more ‘modest’ vines in Côtes de Nuits-Villages, Côtes de Beaune-Villages, and the Hautes-Côtes.

Domaine Naudin-Ferrand’s vineyards are farmed organically and Claire takes a pragmatic, low-interventionist approach in the cellar. Her wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered and see minimal chemical additions – relatively susceptible to sulphur herself, Claire made the domaine’s first SO2-free cuvée in 1999.

The Flower Series is named after the various species of wildflower that grow among her vines. From two Chardonnay parcels – ‘En Daisey’ and ‘En Bully’ in Magny-lès-Villers – just above Pernand-Vergelesses, ‘Bellis Perennis’ is hand harvested and slowly pressed before spending 15 months in large barrels.

The result combines yellow fruit and a spicy, floral character over a mineral-rich core. With maturity, complex notes of honey and butter emerge alongside a silky texture, akin to Chassagne-Montrachet.

With Burgundy lovers already clued up to the domaine’s sensual Pinot Noirs, this mini-vertical of ‘Bellis Perennis’ – from a string of excellent vintages for the Hautes-Côtes – demonstrates why Claire’s Chardonnays are deserving of equal attention.

Yellow apple and stony minerality. Long and round.