2023 Merlin Pouilly-Fuissé

The estate of Olivier and Corinne Merlin is located in the predestined village of Roche-Vineuse (literally: wine rock!) in the Mâconnais region. Burgundy, Mâcon and Beaujolais form the core range of the estate. 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 ha Domaine du Vieux Saint-Sortin. The old and dilapidated estate had been in the hands of the same family since 1750. Since then, the successful rise of Olivier and Corinne seems unstoppable. Olivier combines old wine wisdom, sharp observation and hard work in the vineyards, with modern technology. An indispensable part of his philosophy is to leave a cleared and ploughed vineyard fallow for 4-5 years. No synthetic pesticides or fertilisers are used, in Moulin-à-Vent they even work the vineyards with old-fashioned horsepower. No trendy nonsense, just pure old-fashioned common sense. The result can be summarised in four words: Balance, Purity, Complexity and Harmony

For the white Merlin Pouilly Fusé, the Chardonnay grapes from each plot are harvested, pressed and vinified separately. After a light natural settling, the alcoholic fermentation takes place in oak barrels (40%) and in stainless steel tanks (60%). After this first fermentation, a long maturation on 'lees' (own fine sediment) begins with 'bâtonnage' once a week (stirring and stirring of the sediment for more fat, minerality and complexity). The malolactic fermentation occurs spontaneously. In this way, the wines are completely stable in structure before they can be bottled. There is no clarification. A light filtration on fine silica (kieselguhr) is sometimes applied, if the harvest year requires it. Often this is not even necessary. This Pouilly Fuse is as a good burgundy should be with a beautiful light green-gold colour in the glass. On the nose the wine is fresh and very aromatic with nuances of white peach and pear and light citrus fruit. On the palate this medium-bodied wine is fresh and clean, supple and fruity, round and generous, with a strikingly clean minerality in the long finish.