Olivier Merlin is widely regarded as being one of the very finest winemakers in the Mâconnais. He and his wife Corinne began in 1987 by renting 4.5 hectares. from René Gaillard, of Domaine du Vieux Saint-Sorlin, who wished to retire. Since then, Olivier has been buying the property in stages as well as adding new vineyards such as St Véran (in 1994 and ‘96). In September ‘97 Olivier took out a négociant's licence in order to be able to make some Pouilly Fuissé, since land in this appellation is neither available to buy nor to rent.

94 Points - Decanter

The 2020 Saint-Véran Côte-Rôtie comes from soils with a high level of active limestone, prompting Merlin to describe the wine as almost Chablis-like. It has a taut and direct, minimalist, flinty bouquet where you can almost smell that limestone. The palate is tense and very mineral-driven, plenty of salinity here…it just cries out for some fruits de mer! Drink: 2023 - 2035; Rating: 93 Points; Neal Martin; Vinous