Winemaker Notes
Facing northeast on the flanks of the "rock" of Solutré, 'En Buland' is one of Barraud's more subtle yet stupendous wines, a heady and complex (and very concentrated) offering that unwinds graciously as it expands in the glass. A great wine for the cellar, and certainly a killer value in great white Burgundy.
Aromas of lemon oil, crushed stones, and wildflowers. Profoundly deep and complex.
Drink as an aperitif or with salad, roasted chicken, and fresh French cheeses.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2022 Pouilly-Fuissé En Buland, denied Premier Cru status due to the orientation of the vines, is populated by the oldest vines in the Domaine, planted in 1934 at over 10,000 vines per hectare. It has a gorgeous nose, perhaps the most effervescent amongst Barraud's cuvées, blood oranges mixed with fennel and peach skin with an underlying mineralité. The palate has exquisite balance, very poised, slightly honeyed in texture yet with the most tension of nervosité amongst Barraud's wine. With enormous length and precision, this comes highly recommended.
Barrel Sample: 93-95
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
The source of some of the most sought-after white wines of the Mâconnais, Pouilly-Fuissé is produced exclusively from the Chardonnay grape and tends to be slightly richer in style than wines from its northern neighbor, the Côte de Beaune—mainly due to warmer weather. Wines from Pouilly-Fuissé have some versatility; they can be enjoyed young and can also often improve with a little time in the cellar. Pouilly-Fuissé wines are considered some of the best values for white Burgundy.
Similar to the Côte de Beaune, the soils of Pouilly-Fuissé are mainly limestone and clay. The appellation includes the communes of Fuissé, Solutré (which includes Pouilly), Vergisson and Chaintré. The richest Chardonnay comes from Fuissé and Solutré-Pouilly, whereas the Chardonnay at higher elevation, from Vergisson, expresses more minerality and finesse. Pairing Pouilly-Fuissé with lobster or King Crab will bring great joy not only to your palate—but also your pocketbook!