Picked in three successive passages over the course of three weeks, the 2020 Pouilly-Fuissé Les Combes Vieilles Vignes wafts from the glass with scents of citrus zest, crisp green orchard fruit, white flowers and rock salt. Full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's chiseled and precise, its satiny attack segueing into a complete mid-palate and a long, saline finish.
Produced from a mixture of 70% south-facing and 30% north-facing vineyards. The vines are more than 70 years old on average, producing few bunches of small berries. The soils are clay-based. In 2020 this plot was harvested in three successive "tries": one at the beginning of the harvest, one in the middle and on the very last day of the harvest. Each was pressed and vinified separately. This cuvée is only composed of the free run juices vinified in barrels (25% new). Fermentation lasted until November, followed by ageing in barrels for 8 months. Showing pristine delineation of citrus and stone fruit, gently sweet spice, cream and honey on the nose, this has wonderfully precise and intense aromas. The palate is silky smooth, with glossy peaches and apricot coming in waves interspersed with refreshing citrus oil and struck flint. There is a perfect interplay between intense richness and acid tension throughout. Wonderfully crafted Chardonnay that is both immediately appealing and has the depth to age gracefully. An absolute knockout.
