Winemaker Notes
This site produces one of the most subtle yet powerful expressions of the region. With a nearly pure limestone subsoil this wine is slightly reductive and quite discreet upon release. After time open, or better some years in the cellar, the expression is dramatic with pungent notes of lemon oil, exotic spice and a saline note which extends the long finish.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2023 Pouilly-Fuissé Tournant de Pouilly 1er Cru comes from Les Reisses (you will find it mentioned on the back label, which is technically the official one!). This was picked on the first day of harvest, having suffered some hail damage the previous day. It has a light bouquet that gains intensity: apricot and quince, touches of chai and chamomile. The palate is very well balanced with real depth and concentration, gentle grip and a touch of limestone on the sapid finish, the mineralité of which is heightened by the limestone content. Excellent.
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!