From: Pouilly-Vinzelles, Burgundy, France
Varietal: Chardonnay
La Soufrandière is our family’s estate, purchased in 1947 by our paternal grandparents. In 2000, we officially took over La Soufrandière and its 4.5 hectares of Pouilly Vinzelles planted on the best, east/southeast -facing clay -limestone slope in the village. Then, in 2004, our maternal grandfather entrusted his one hectare Clos in Mâcon -Vinzelles to us. As of 2016, we were lucky enough to acquire 5 hectares of organically farmed vines: 3.5 hectares in Saint -Véran, 1.2 hectares in Pouilly Fuissé, and 1.2 hectares of Bourgogne Aligoté. We decided to work Organically and Biodynamically from the start. As we see it, agriculture respecting the Living environment is the only way to produce wines with exceptional balance, that vibrates with energy and reveals their terroir. Maintaining a balance between the Soil and Vine allows us to produce small berries that are balanced and rich in phenolics and organic acids that are essential to optimal grape ripening. The grapes are harvested by hand in small cases, then crushed, pressed, and vinified in barrels or in tanks, with the indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grape skins. The aging period varies from 11 to 18 months depending on the cuvée. Jean -Philippe & Jean -Guillaume BRET
Tasting Notes: Walk, listen, smell. You are in the middle of the plowed La Soufrandière vineyard of Pouilly-Vinzelles Climat “Les Quarts,” on a terroir that we think is one of the best in Burgundy. Maybe we’re biased by our endless love for it, or maybe it’s because we just know it deep down. The pinnacle, an old shelter with a roof covered in varnished tiles, stands like a guardian. The earth here is soft, aerated, perfumed. It is alive. The soul of the terroir is undeniably present. With an almost magical exposure at the top of a southeast-facing slope, our oldest Chardonnay vines (45 to 80 years old) are rooted in an active limestone and clay soil (Bajocian, rich with siliceous crystals), giving birth to powerful, age-worthy wines. The nose is citrusy and mineral, and the balanced palate shows complexity and a long finish. As vintages go by, the terroir remains; it’s up to us to preserve it! The tension and structure in 2018 make this a great Burgundy! Favorite for both version, « classic » and « Zen »
