2018 Olivier Merlin Mâcon Sur La Roche Vineuse Vieilles Vignes

The domain of Olivier and Corinne Merlin is located in the predestined village of Roche-Vineuse (literally: wine rock!) in the Mâconnais region. Bourgogne, Mâcon and Beaujolais form the core range of the domain. Olivier studied oenology in Beaune and then worked as a cellar master in the Jura, where he met his wife Corinne. In 1985 he left for the Californian Napa Valley to vinify two vintages. At the beginning of 1987, he took over the 4.5 hectare Domaine du Vieux Saint-Sortin. The old and dilapidated domain had been in the hands of the same family since 1750. Since then, the successful advance of Olivier and Corinne seems unstoppable. Olivier combines ancient wine wisdom, keen observation and hard work in the vineyards, with modern technology. An indispensable part of his philosophy is leaving a cleared and plowed vineyard fallow for 4-5 years. No synthetic pesticides or fertilizers are used, in Moulin-à-Vent even old-fashioned horsepower is used in the vineyards. Nothing trendy talk, but pure old-fashioned common sense. The result can be summed up in four words: Balance, Purity, Complexity and Harmony

The grapes from the old vineyards (vieille vigne) for the Merlin Pouilly Fuissé Sur la Roche are picked by hand with very strict selection. Careful pneumatic pressing of the grapes takes place in the vinification cellar, after which the juice rests for 12 hours to allow coarser components to settle. After this, a temperature-controlled spontaneous alcoholic fermentation with wild (grape-specific) yeasts is allowed to take place, on oak barriques (of which 15% new annually), followed by malolactic fermentation and maturation in the groin on the same barriques. After 18 months, the wine is assembled, lightly filtered and bottled.

This Pouilly Fuissee from Merlin (nickname: The Wizard of the Mâconnais) is a bright light golden yellow in color. In the nose lively aromas of lime, white peach, candied pineapple, white flowers, brioche and almonds. In the taste palette notes of grapefruit, ripe yellow stone fruit, something of orange peel and vanilla, which are accompanied by a clear mineral aftertaste with refined acids.

Delicious with oysters, freshwater fish, smoked wild salmon, boudin blanc, veal in cream sauce, risotto with mushrooms, young goat's cheeses (preferably from the Mâconnais) and mild Asian dishes.