Pouilly-Fuissé En Châtenay 2010
The weather in 2010 was rather unpredictable, as is often the case in Burgundy. After a cold, drawn out winter, spring was rather cool causing late and uneven flowering. July was hot and August warm and damp (meaning vignerons had to be especially vigilant in the vineyards). Hail damaged part of the crop and further reduced yields. September brought a cool northerly wind and ideal, sunny conditions for the final ripening to take place. Harvest began on the 18th September and finished by the beginning of October.
According to Thierry, the fruit was good and healthy, with correct levels of acidity and plenty of character. Apart from very low yields – which were down by as much as 40% on previous years – he is once again delighted with the results.
All good terroir needs the skill and craft of a sympathetic winemaker, however. Thierry is one the region’s finest vignerons and produces wonderfully attractive, complex wines. The well- known television presenter and wine expert Oz Clarke considers him to be a ‘particularly good producer, well worth seeking out’.
Your exclusive En Châtenay comes from a special southeast facing plot with ideal limestone and clay soils and good exposure.
After a classical burgundian fermentation in a mix of stainless steel and barrel, the wine was matured in new and used French and American oak barriques for around nine months. This combination imparts an attractive creamy, sweet spice character which complements the traditionally elegant, floral and fruity aromatics.
The palate has very elegant and lingering flavours of ripe melon, honey and grapefruit with butterscotch and spice in the long lightly toasty finish. It is a rich and powerful wine, yet has a certain delicacy and balance too. It is an ideal food wine: try this with ‘inventive’ cuisine such as scallops, quenelles or andouillettes. Delicious now to 2014.