Pouilly-Vinzelles Climat “Les Quarts” Zen AOC 2020 1500ml

The Les Quarts vineyard is undoubtedly one of the best terroirs in the Pouilly-Vinzelles appellation. The fantastically situated vineyard faces southeast and has 48 to 80-year-old Chardonnay vines on siliceous and above all ferruginous clay and limestone soil from the Bajocium. The wines produced there are long-lived, well-balanced. Hand-harvested from 24 to 25 August 2020, whole bunch pressing and spontaneous fermentation, followed by ageing for 17 months, initially in pièces for eleven months and then in barrels with 100 % malolactic fermentation. The added sulphur is 20 mg/l.

light golden yellow

At the 2020 Les Quarts Cuvée Zen the wine moves aromatically close to the classic cuvée from the same site. Here, too, citrus notes combine with those of pencil abrasion, stone and herbs. Overall, the Zen-The yellow version is a little cooler and thus tends more towards green than orange. In addition to the fruit and herbs, one can easily sense a celery stalk, some verbena and tobacco.

On the palate, the wine proves to be immensely powerful and almost wiry in its acid structure, which provides thrust and provokes an electrifying moment on the tongue. It is more than remarkable, as the Chardonnay has undergone 100 % of malolactic fermentation, and 2020 was not a cool but at most a temperate year. You can also feel this in the juiciness of the fruit. And yet, here you find the right punch. In addition, there is a fine silkiness, not least caused by the long yeast storage, which also shows aromatic presence. The wine, which is only subtly sulphured, appears open, harmonious and inviting.