Pouilly-Vinzelles Climat “Les Quarts” Zen AOC 2022 1500ml Magnum

Wine description for Pouilly-Vinzelles Climat “Les Quarts” Zen AOC 2022 1500ml Magnum by La Soufrandière

Colour & Appearance

The wine presents itself in the glass in a radiant, bright golden yellow.

Nose

An extraordinarily captivating entry: Tart citrus notes meet fresh lemon verbena and mint. Compared to the classic cuvée, a cool, taut aromatic profile dominates here – subtly underpinned by a fine waxy nuance, whilst ripe stone fruit keeps a polite distance in the background.

Palate

On the palate, the Cuvée Zen reveals itself as poised yet filled with energy. A juicy texture of yellow pome fruit and stone fruit is carried by a striking, assertive acidity that provides immense drive and palpable tension.

Finish

The finish turns out to be exceptionally long-lasting, saline and tart. Pure citric fruit lingers on the palate alongside fine, grippy tannins.

Terroir & Origin

The Les Quarts vineyard site is considered one of the prime spots of the southern Mâconnais in the Pouilly-Vinzelles appellation. The south-east facing parcels rest on iron- and pebble-rich clay and limestone soils from the Bajocian age. The Bret family’s vines here are between 48 and 80 years old.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Single-varietal Chardonnay, grown according to the Demeter-certified biodynamic guidelines of the brothers Jean-Philippe, Jean-Guillaume and Marc-Antoine Bret. The vineyards are partly ploughed by horse. Following the manual harvest at the end of August 2022, whole-bunch pressing and spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts took place. The 17-month ageing initially occurred in barrels and large oak foudres, including complete malolactic fermentation. Minimally sulphured (total sulphur 34 mg/l).

Food Pairings

Wonderful with oven-roasted chicken drumsticks with orange slices, fennel and aniseed, crispy grilled bread with sardines, sweet onions and yellow tomatoes or devilled eggs filled with miso mayonnaise and Aleppo chilli flakes.

Special Features

As a Magnum (1500ml), this excellent Burgundy Chardonnay matures even more slowly and elegantly. The Demeter-certified Cuvée Zen reveals the terroir of Les Quarts in a particularly puristic, taut and citrus-vibrant interpretation.