Pouilly-Fuissé En Bertilionne – 2018

In the village of Pouilly, in the middle of the Pouilly-Fuissé AOC lies Domaine du Roc des Boutires. The winery’s name draws on both terroir and tradition: its proximity with the Roche de Solutré, an emblem of the appellation and a testament to the extraordinary geologic richness of this vineyard; as well as the domaine’s settlement in the very heart of one of the best terroirs of the appellation —“Aux Bouthières.” In the ancient French vocabulary, a “boutière” was a secondary road that mule skinners used for the transportation of oils and wines in remote parts of the country. The vineyard of Domaine du Roc des Boutires is only 5 kilometers (3.12 miles) west of the ancient Roman track of Via Agrippa, on a very small road which now leads to the village of Solutré, the hills of the Mâconnais and the plains of the Charolais.

Exclusively coming from the terroir ‘En Bertilionne’, 0.57 hectares (1.4 acre), limestone interlaced with marl and chalk. The ‘vielles vignes’ of Chardonnay, located at the southern end of Burgundy, are planted between 250 and 500 meters in altitude, higher than the other AOC from Bourgogne. Thus, they provide both maturity and freshness to the wines. Vineyards face East/South-East.

The 2018 vintage faced a cold and rainy winter. Summer was very warm and dry. The first quarter of 2018 was the most humid since 1964. But in May and June, sunny conditions stopped the development of the moisture. The clusters were long and loose, and the fruit was small and concentrated. The wines were crafted to become balanced and aromatic.

The berries are driven to the pressoir by gravity, and immediately pressed with the whole bunch in order to filtrate the best and most natural way possible. Once the pressurage is done, the juices are cooled down to 46.4° F (8°C) for 2 days on average in order to make the particles fall in the tank. The cold débourbage enables to preserve the best quality and primary aromas. Malolatic fermenta-tions are happening naturally. Bâtonnages are scarce, while barrels and tanks are used depending on the profile of the vintage.

The color is vibrant and bright with yellow and gold reflections. Aromas of minerals, flint, pear and peach jump out of the glass. The palate is pleasantly intense with citrus notes and a long mouthwatering finish. Very refined.