2020 Olivier Merlin Pouilly-Fuissé Clos de France Premier Cru

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 Merlin Clos de France Premier Cru only entered the market in the 2018 vintage. The Chardonnay vineyard was planted in 1965 and 1985 so they are quite old vines with a low yield. The steep vineyard (15%) has an eastern location and has a calcareous slate soil. The Clos de France has grannies of pear, green apple and fresh bread and on the palate this Pouilly-Fuissé is medium to full bodied with a satiny attack with perfect acidity. A maximum of around 1,800 bottles are made of this great wine, so it is certainly a collector's item.