Domaine de la Croix Senaillet
Mâconnais

The Estate
This second generation old estate is located in the town of Davayé, in southern Burgundy. The winery was founded by Maurice Martin in 1969. His son Richard took it over in 1990 and was joined by his brother Stéphane in 1992. While Richard takes care of the vinification and the sales, Stéphane is in charge of the vineyard. They sell 80% of their production in bottle and 20% to negociants. Currently, they export 40% of their wine outside of France. 
"Domaine de la Croix Senaillet" takes its name from a cross that had been given by an ancient mayor of the village called Benoit Senaillet. The records show that the mayor donated the cross to Davayé in 1866 to replace the one that was destroyed in 1793 during the French Revolution. According to the common believes, the cross that was blessed in 1867 would protect the inhabitants of the village and everyone that would pass by.


Richard and StephaneMartin


Tasting room


La Croix Senaillet, in Davaye

The Vineyard
The vineyards are located on the south/southeastern slopes of the Solutre and Vergisson rocks. The estate spreads over 52 parcels in the town of Davayé and measures 22 hectares total (54.3 acres): 17 ha in St Véran, 5 ha in Mâcon, less than 1 hectare in Pouilly-Fuisse. The soil is both chalk and clay. The vines are 40 years old on average. In order to increase the quality of the grapes, Stephane has decided to use "culture raisonnée", which means that they watch carefully and daily the vineplant, checking for the sanitary level in the vineyard and use very small amount of pesticide and chemical products if necessary. 

2005 as the greatest year of all times in Burgundy?
"2005 is a year of reference. We had never seen in Burgundy such ideal climatic conditions, with a dry and sunny weather accompanied by fresh nights limiting water issues. At the time of the harvest, the chardonnay berries were beautiful and succulent with golden bunches that were aired and full of sugar, which are the characteristics of the greatest years. The sanitary state of the crop was remarkable, with a weak rainfall and wind coming from the north. From July to September, rainfall records showed 86mm in Mâcon against 214mm, only for August 2004. Thus these three months entered the history as they were the driest months ever seen since 1943 with an average temperature of 19.7°C which is slightly higher than the average.

Fortunately, the vine is a resistant plant, and, thanks to our repeated ploughings, the roots go deep into the soils and can draw the reserve water that is full of minerals. The high contents in sugar reached very satisfying levels, often high, with excellent indices of maturity, which is a sign of a good natural balance between sugar, acidity and the aromatic potential of the grape. This balance is important because it conditions the quality of the wine. The harvest occurred between September 8th -20th with mild temperatures facilitating the control of the beginning of the fermentation. For this remarkable year, our wines are rich with beautiful fruity and floral flavors. They are powerful and round in the mouth due to the aging on fine lees during 10 months." - Bourgogne Aujourd'hui (June, July 2006)


Rock of Solutre

The Wines



shelf talker

#F1EE255002CHS
UPC code: 7 84585 00215 3
2007 Croix Senaillet, Saint Véran 12/750ml
 Produced from a selection of 25 parcels.
Careful vinification. Minimal intervention in the vinification process. Modern equipment (pneumatic press, thermo-regulated tanks). Each parcel is harvested at full maturity. Destemming, slow press, slow fermentation, malolactic fermentation, aging on the lees.
Unoaked Chardonnay. Fresh and fruity with floral, peach and citrus fruit aromas followed by mineral notes. Mineral, citrus and honey flavors. Rich and luscious palate with a long finish.
Pairs well with poultry with creamy sauce, shellfish and goat cheese.


#F1EE255017CHS
UPC code: 7 84585 00215 3
2006 Croix Senaillet, Saint Véran 12/750ml
 Produced from a selection of 25 parcels.
Careful vinification. Minimal intervention in the vinification process. Modern equipment (pneumatic press, thermo-regulated tanks). Each parcel is harvested at full maturity. Destemming, slow press, slow fermentation, malolactic fermentation, aging on the lees.
Unoaked Chardonnay. Fresh and fruity with floral, peach and citrus fruit aromas followed by mineral notes. Mineral, citrus and honey flavors. Rich and luscious palate with a long finish.
Pairs well with poultry with creamy sauce, shellfish and goat cheese.

 National Retail Price: $22.99 / bottle

#F1GG22509
UPC code: 784585004010
Croix Senaillet, Saint Véran 24/375ml
 National Retail Price: $10.99 / bottle (375ml)



shelf talker

#F1EE255027CHS
UPC code: 7 84585 00812 4
2006 Croix Senaillet, Saint Véran, Les Buis 12/750ml
 Produced from a single vineyard that enjoys an eastern exposure, resulting in gold color grapes that best express the terroir.
Careful vinification. Minimal intervention in the vinification process. Modern equipment (pneumatic press, thermo-regulated tanks). Each parcel is harvested at full maturity. Destemming, slow press, slow fermentation, egg white fining, malolactic fermentation, aging on the lees. Unoaked Chardonnay.
Intense floral and white fruits aromas with spicy, spearmint and mineral notes. Rich and creamy. Fresh mineral flavors, good acidity. Excellent length.
Pairs well with scallops.

#F1EE25524
UPC code: 7 84585 00812 4
2005 Croix Senaillet, Saint Véran, Les Buis 12/750ml
 Produced from a single vineyard that enjoys an eastern exposure, resulting in gold color grapes that best express the terroir.
Careful vinification. Minimal intervention in the vinification process. Modern equipment (pneumatic press, thermo-regulated tanks). Each parcel is harvested at full maturity. Destemming, slow press, slow fermentation, egg white fining, malolactic fermentation, aging on the lees. Unoaked Chardonnay.
Intense floral and white fruits aromas with spicy, spearmint and mineral notes. Rich and creamy. Fresh mineral flavors, good acidity. Excellent length.
Pairs well with scallops.

National Retail Price: $26.99 / bottle



shelf talker

#F1EE255019CHS
UPC code: 7 84585 00897 1
2006 Croix Senaillet, Saint Véran, La Grande Bruyère 12/750ml
Vineyard with an eastern exposure, located between the villages of Pouilly and Davayé. The soil is mainly made of flint stones that give birth to a rich and powerful wine.
Careful vinification. Minimal intervention in the vinification process. Modern equipment (pneumatic press, thermo-regulated tanks). Each parcel is harvested at full maturity. Destemming, slow press, slow fermentation, malolactic fermentation, aging on the lees.
Fresh and aromatic nose of apple, citrus, flowers followed by brioche nuances. Rich, powerful. flavorful, round, long and mineral.
Pairs well with poultry with creamy sauce.

#F1EE25523
UPC code: 7 84585 00897 1
2005 Croix Senaillet, Saint Véran, La Grande Bruyère 12/750ml
Vineyard with an eastern exposure, located between the villages of Pouilly and Davayé. The soil is mainly made of flint stones that give birth to a rich and powerful wine.
Careful vinification. Minimal intervention in the vinification process. Modern equipment (pneumatic press, thermo-regulated tanks). Each parcel is harvested at full maturity. Destemming, slow press, slow fermentation, malolactic fermentation, aging on the lees.
Fresh and aromatic nose of apple, citrus, flowers followed by brioche nuances. Rich, powerful. flavorful, round, long and mineral.
Pairs well with poultry with creamy sauce.

"La Grande Bruyère displays a lovely lemon color and aromas of melon and pear on the nose. On the palate it offers a round mouth feel, ripe fruit flavors, moderate acidity and some bitterness on the finish."
- i-winereview.com (Feb. 08), 89 pts
National Retail Price: $26.99 / bottle



shelf talker

#F1EE255001CHS
 2007 Croix Senaillet, Mâcon-Davayé 12/750ml
 UPC code: 7 84585 00214 6
 Produced from 5 different parcels of vines planted on clay and limestone based soils.
Careful vinification. Minimal intervention in the vinification process. Modern equipment (pneumatic press, thermo-regulated tanks). Each parcel is harvested at full maturity. Destemming, slow press, slow fermentation, malolactic fermentation, aging on the lees.
Unoaked Chardonnay. Fresh and fruity wine. White fruit and floral aromas. Fresh, strong and rich in the mouth. Honey, acacia and peach flavors.
Excellent as an aperitif and pairs well with grilled fish and Asian food.

#F1EE255016CHS
 2006 Croix Senaillet, Mâcon-Davayé 12/750ml
 Produced from 5 different parcels of vines planted on clay and limestone based soils.
Careful vinification. Minimal intervention in the vinification process. Modern equipment (pneumatic press, thermo-regulated tanks). Each parcel is harvested at full maturity. Destemming, slow press, slow fermentation, malolactic fermentation, aging on the lees.
Unoaked Chardonnay. Fresh and fruity wine. White fruit and floral aromas. Fresh, strong and rich in the mouth. Honey, acacia and peach flavors.
Excellent as an aperitif and pairs well with grilled fish and Asian food.

 National Retail Price: $18.99 / bottle



shelf talker

#F1EE255026CHS
UPC code: 7 84585 00814 8
 2006 Croix Senaillet, Pouilly-Fuissé 12/750ml
 Harvest at full maturity; destemming; slow press; aging on the lees for 10 months; stirring of the lees. Aged in oak barrels for 9 months.
Fruity and floral aromas intertwined with vanilla and toasty notes. Harmonious, well balanced and elegant wine. Excellent with white meats and fish.

 National Retail Price: $42.95 / bottle