Winemaker Notes
Pairs well as an aperitif; with mixed salads; roasted chicken with herbs; fresh French cheeses.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Tucked under the imposing rock of Vergisson, this vineyard goes up to 400 metres, making it one of the higher sites in Pouilly-Fuissé. Like many of the wines from cooler spots, this has performed very well in 2017. The 20% new oak adds some vanilla sweetness, complementing the fresh, crunchy citrus and stone fruit flavors.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From vines below the rock of Vergisson, Barraud's 2017 Pouilly-Fuissé Les Crays Vieilles Vignes opens in the glass with aromas of fresh pear, peach, white flowers, mandarin oil and nutmeg. On the palate, it's full-bodied, satiny and concentrated, with a tight-knit core, racy acids and considerable amplitude, concluding with a chalky finish. As usual, it's finer-boned and more tensile when compared with the fleshier Verchère. Rating: 93+
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!