Pouilly-Vinzelles Cuvée Zen AOC 2023

Wine Description for Pouilly-Vinzelles Cuvée Zen AOC 2023 by La Soufrandière

Colour & Appearance

Vibrant golden yellow with radiant reflections – a Chardonnay that confidently displays its provenance and maturity.

Nose

Requires patience and air in the glass. Initially still reductive, then a youthfully pristine fruit unfolds with notes of yellow stone fruit and sun-warmed lemon. These are joined by dried summer flowers, a hint of espresso crema and a whisper of icing sugar – a joyful, multi-layered bouquet.

Palate

Supremely juicy on the attack with gripping texture and rapid momentum. The ripe fruit displays pronounced citric character, carried by a mature, aromatically slightly austere acidity. A stimulating bitter note adds verve, whilst the powdery fine phenolics invite another sip. This wine deliberately presents itself as edgy in its youth – precisely what gives it its special charm.

Finish

Precise and grippy with lingering citrus freshness and a mineral tension that resonates.

Terroir & Origin

From the Climat Les Quarts in Pouilly-Vinzelles, one of the underrated appellations of southern Mâconnais. The younger vines bring freshness and vitality to the glass.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Biodynamically cultivated Chardonnay, hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressing. Spontaneous fermentation, aged on the lees partly in tank, partly in used barrels. No sulphur additions during fermentation and ageing – only minimal sulphuring at unfiltered bottling. Natural wine philosophy with precision.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Perfect with scallops with lemon butter, pike-perch with capers, Comté cheese or veal sweetbreads in cream sauce. The gripping texture also pairs well with more robust preparations such as Poulet de Bresse with morels.

Special Characteristics

A wine that exemplifies La Soufrandière’s low-intervention approach – lively, authentic, with rough edges. Not a crowd-pleasing darling, but a characterful Burgundy with conviction.