Produced from a parcel of vines located in Prisse, the 2003 Saint-Veran Vigne de St.-Claude “Caniculus” (white) boasts a nose of mocha cream and assorted spices. Fresh, spicy, and light to medium-bodied, this silky-textured wine displays appealing nutmeg, cream, butter, and anise flavors in slightly disjointed (Hardy dressed in Laurel’s suit) format. It should be drunk over the next 3 years.

Medium-bodied, refined, and complex, the 2002 Saint-Veran Vigne de Saint-Claude bursts with muscular mineral, nut, pear, and almond aromas as well as flavors. Rich, yet well-balanced, this beautifully fashioned wine is a candidate for drinking over the next 4 years. Jean Marie Guffens is ecstatic about 2002. “This is the best vintage we’ve done at Verget. From Macon to the Cote d’Or to Chablis, it is like a concentrated 1992. We were able to harvest in each area at the optimal time. We have great ripeness, not overripe, with excellent acidity, and the bulk prices that we paid actually dropped. The only problem in 2002 was some volatile acidity during fermentation, so we used more sulphur earlier than usual. Alcoholic fermentations took an extremely long time, and some of our malolactic fermentations were completed before the sugar was all eaten.”A Peter Vezan Selection (Paris Fax # 011-33-1-42654293), importers include: Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700 and North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 848-8910, and a Patrick Lesec Selection (Paris Fax # 011-33-1-42843822), various American importers, including Bacchus Importers; tel. (800) 525-9699

The beautifully defined 2000 St.-Veran Vignes de St.-Claude reveals candied lemons and minerals in both its aromas and flavor profile. Loaded with fruit and highly detailed, this medium-bodied, vivacious wine should be consumed over the next 7 years. A Peter Vezan Selection (Paris Fax # 011-33-1-42654293), importers include: Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700 and North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 848-8910, and a Patrick Lesec Selection (Paris Fax # 011-33-1-42843822), various American importers, including Bacchus Importers (800) 525-9699

The 1999 St.-Veran Vigne de St.-Claude, one of the finest St.-Verans ever tasted, bursts from the glass with flowers, fresh earth, and stone-scented aromas. It has outstanding intensity, focus, and balance to its acacia blossom, stone, and extravagantly flavored character. This beautiful, tangy, and long-finishing wine will be at its best if drunk over the course of the next 6 years. A Peter Vezan Selection (Paris Fax # 011-33-1-42654293), importers include: North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel (510) 848-8910, and a Patrick Lesec Selection (Paris Fax # 011-33-1-42843822), various American importers, including Bacchus Importers (800) 525-9699.