From: Pouilly-Fuissé, Macon, France
Blend: Chardonnay
Taste & Critical Acclaim:
92 Wine Spectator
Lemon pie, apple, vanilla, nutmeg and clove flavors are enmeshed in the creamy texture of this vibrant and harmonious white, with an underlying stony element. Fine length.
91 Burghound.com
A ripe and rather floral-suffused nose of mainly citrus and apple is trimmed in discreet oak nuances. There is both good volume and vibrant to the delicious, intense and saliva-inducing middle weight flavors that are at once racy yet opulent on the balanced and moderately firm finale. A good start to the range. Barrel Sample: 89-91
90 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Pouilly-Fuissé bursts with aromas of pear, hazelnuts, white flowers, toasted almonds and pastry cream. Medium to full-bodied, bright and precise, with tangy acids and a nicely concentrated finish, it concludes with a gently oak-inflected finish.
Pairing: Its richness, derived from the chardonnay grape, makes it an ideal companion for dishes with rich, creamy, or buttery sauces. The wine's acidity and minerality are natural complements to raw and cooked seafood, enhancing the flavors of shellfish, mollusks, and seafood risotto. Its well-balanced acidity pairs beautifully with white meats like veal or poultry, and its rich aromatic profile match slightly spicy (very mildly spicy!) foods and “exotic dishes.” We’re sharing a twist on a classic below, in Craig Claiborne’s Catfish Meuniere.
Catfish Meuniere
By Craig Claiborne
About. Nestled in the heart of Burgundy's Maconnais region, Domaine J.A. Ferret was established in 1760; this distinguished domain has a storied history, marked by its pioneering role in bottling its wines over six decades ago, a practice that was far from ordinary at the time.
Managed since 1993 by Colette Ferret and notably run by women, the domain focuses on 100% Chardonnay wines, a beacon of Macon's best village. The detailed identification of premium terroirs, a concept initiated by Jeanne Ferret, has played a pivotal role in elevating the domaine's reputation. This classification led to the creation of the 'Tête de Cru' and 'Hors Classe' cuvées, further solidifying its esteemed status.
The terroir of Domaine Ferret is a canvas of geological diversity. According to Sigales Consultants, the soils of Fuissé, where the domain's parcels are spread, present an unparalleled variety of rocks, from hard limestone to clay-rich marks and volcanic-sedimentary sandstones. This geological richness, dating back over 330 million years, is pivotal in crafting wines with a deep respect for the soil heritage and the community that cherishes these wines.
The Domaine's vineyards, covering 17 hectares in Pouilly-Fuissé, are meticulously cared for. Each vine, ranging from 40-year-old average vines to some planted as far back as 1947, receives individualized attention. The 2019 vintage stands out, with 80% vinified in oak barrels for ten months and a further six months in vats; the wine was bottled amidst the rare snowflakes of the year on January 11, 2021.
2019 presented a challenging vintage, starting with mild winter conditions and a painfully cold spring with frost damage in parts of Fuissé. Despite these trials, the vintage culminated in concentrated musts with elevated sugar levels and high acidity due to Domaine's resilience and expertise.
