Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From a low-yielding vineyard planted at a high density of 17,000 vines per hectare, the golden-yellow colored 2012 Pouilly-Fumé HD Haute Densité is still fascinating in its clear, fresh and youthful bouquet that delivers white fruits and flowers as well as gooseberry and black chocolate aromas to the coolish, maybe even slightly minty nose that is refined and elegant and adds notes of ripe, yellow-fleshed fruit and passion fruits after a little while in the glass. It is full-bodied, dense and beautifully fruity on the palate, with lime zest and juice aromas, very fine tannins and bitters on the finish. This is a concentrated, grippy and persistent classic that drinks perfectly today and much younger than anybody would assume. Very long and still with potential. Tasted in February 2021. Rating: 91+
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
Famous in the Loire and throughout the world for perfumed Sauvignon blanc, Pouilly-Fume sits due east, across the Loire River from Sancerre. Limestone soils with clay and flint (also called silex) contribute to the wines' freshness and often times smoky, flinty, mineral character.