Sunday, April 01, 2012

April 2012: 4 Pouilly-fumé Tasted

Logo of les Vignerons de Pouilly
The history of Pouilly-sur-Loire and Pouilly-Fumé

A Quote from their website: "Pouilly Fumé - a funny name for a wine!
Yet it is here, in Pouilly-sur-Loire, that the Sauvignon grape variety develops unrivalled complexity and aromatic palate.

A dry, fruity white wine, Pouilly Fumé is full-bodied. It recreates for us the inimitable taste of the Pouilly land in its bottle thanks to its "flinty" aromas. Its mineral and fruity aromas are its trademark!

Several million years old, the Pouilly land, made up of Kimmeridgian marls and hard calcareous rock and flint, gives Pouilly Fumé its minerality, finesse and its rather fresh and lively character, clear-cut and long in the mouth, with hints of fruit always present. These may include citrus fruits (hints of lemon and grapefruit), fruits from the area and elsewhere (redcurrant, bush-peach, passion fruit, lychee), white flowers (acacia, lily); as well as hazelnut and quince.

Here in this incomparable land, the fine Pouilly wines are born from the constant labours of the wine producers, for your pleasure."

"...Pouilly Fumé can be kept for five to ten years, according to the year and vintage. It normally peaks in its second or third year. It exists as a white wine only and should not be confused with the similar-sounding Maçon wine, Pouilly Fuissé , a product of the Chardonnay grape. "


The following were available from Vintages and in my price bracket.

Buy a few and taste along with me. Salut, Ww

LISTED:

  • Domaine de Bel Air Pouilly-Fumé 2009, 94-3  --  V, Pouilly-sur-Loire, France, #246033 $22.95
  • André et Edmond Figeat les Chaumiennes Pouilly-Fumé 2010, 92-2  --  V, Pouilly-sur-Loire, France,  #196659  $21.95
  • Domaine de Congy Cuvée les Galfins Pouilly-Fumé 2009,  84  --  V, Pouilly-sur-Loire, France,  #244780 $24.95 
  • Domaine Tabordet Pouilly-Fumé 2009, 83  --  V, Verdigny, France, #907824  $22.95
(V - Vintages,  r-v  - Rating-Value)

TASTINGS:

ANDRÉ et EDMOND FIGEAT LES CHAUMIENNES POUILLY-FUMÉ 2010, Pouilly sur Loire, France,  13.0% XD, #196659  $21.95  (Tasted April 5, 2012)  CS

Release by Vintages on October 15, 2011.  My notes: A mid straw colour with an appealing aroma of buttery apple pie wrapped in a briny tang. The film recedes slowly as a lacy rim and the first sip has an tart apple pear flavour, crisp on the palate and slowly turning to a mild smoky bacon, dry to the end. An interesting medium-bodied sipper and equally suitable with smoked oysters, bacon wrapped asparagus, a seafood medley or roast turkey. Cellaring for several years is likely possibly introducing more butter(scotch). 92

DOMAINE DE CONGY CUVÉE LES GALFINS POUILLY-FUMÉ, Pouilly sur Loire, France,  12.5% XD, #244780  $24.95  (Tasted April 5, 2012)  CS

A Vintages release date not given.   My notes: A faded straw with a faint floral and citrus-almond aroma. The film sticks then a lacy rim recedes slowly without fragmenting. The first sip has a softness that appeals with a touch of citrus, melon and mild acid. Nicely balanced as a sole sipper better paired with seafood entrées not highly seasoned. The finish pushes the first flavours for a short while then subsides to a soft and dry layer on the palate. Nothing to cellar - a drink now.  84

DOMAINE TABORDET POUILLY-FUMÉ 2009, Verdigny, France, 13.5% XD, #907824   $22.95  (Tasted April 15, 2012)  CS

Released by Vintages on June 25, 2011.  My notes:  A pale straw colour with a moderate aroma of gooseberry and citrus that fades quickly. The rim laces then steadily recedes unbroken. The first sip is bright followed by a flat mineral texture lacking a defined fruit then continuing to end with a tangy lemon. Overall, medium-bodied, extra dry with a subtle lemon pulp although character builds over a few sips. Did not contribute to a meal of bbq’d chicken pieces and asparagus spears - may do better with Chinese fare. Not enough to cellar - a drink now.  83


DOMAINE DE BEL AIR POUILLY-FUMÉ 2009, Pouilly sur Loire, France, 13.0% XD, #246033   $22.95   (Tasted April 11, 2012)  CS

Released by Vintages on Jul 23, 2011. Won a Gold Medal at International Wine Challenge, 2010.  My notes: A mid straw colour with intense aroma of grapefruit, lime and lemon. The first sip has the same flavour combination adding a chalky dryness that both interests and awakens the taste buds. Texture is soft and silky filling the mouth then carrying the flavour letting it eventually decline. There’s a ’pond scum’ allure forcing a yes or no - is this a sipper or not? I say YES! Definitely a meal white with seafood, finny or shell. Went well with dill and cream cheese in filo appetizers from Supperworks. Went well with Cuban cod with tomato, onion and capers spooned over basmati rice with an asparagus side. Cellaring for several years is likely. 94

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