Pouilly-Fuissé En Bertilionne – 2018
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Introduction
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In the village of Pouilly, in the middle of the Pouilly-Fuissé AOC lies Domaine du Roc des Boutires. The winery’s name draws on both terroir and tradition: its proximity with the Roche de Solutré, an emblem of the appellation and a testament to the extraordinary geologic richness of this vineyard; as well as the domaine’s settlement in the very heart of one of the best terroirs of the appellation —“Aux Bouthières.” In the ancient French vocabulary, a “boutière” was a secondary road that mule skinners used for the transportation of oils and wines in remote parts of the country. The vineyard of Domaine du Roc des Boutires is only 5 kilometers (3.12 miles) west of the ancient Roman track of Via Agrippa, on a very small road which now leads to the village of Solutré, the hills of the Mâconnais and the plains of the Charolais.
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Vineyard Profile
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Exclusively coming from the terroir ‘En Bertilionne’, 0.57 hectares (1.4 acre), limestone interlaced with marl and chalk. The ‘vielles vignes’ of Chardonnay, located at the southern end of Burgundy, are planted between 250 and 500 meters in altitude, higher than the other AOC from Bourgogne. Thus, they provide both maturity and freshness to the wines. Vineyards face East/South-East.
- Vine Age: 40-year old vines
- Density: 10,000 vines/hectare
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Vintage Report
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The 2018 vintage faced a cold and rainy winter. Summer was very warm and dry. The first quarter of 2018 was the most humid since 1964. But in May and June, sunny conditions stopped the development of the moisture. The clusters were long and loose, and the fruit was small and concentrated. The wines were crafted to become balanced and aromatic.
- Harvest Date(s): August 31 to September 10
- Yields: 50 hectoliters per hectare (3.6 tons per acre); Harvested by hand
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Vinification
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The berries are driven to the pressoir by gravity, and immediately pressed with the whole bunch in order to filtrate the best and most natural way possible. Once the pressurage is done, the juices are cooled down to 46.4° F (8°C) for 2 days on average in order to make the particles fall in the tank. The cold débourbage enables to preserve the best quality and primary aromas. Malolatic fermenta-tions are happening naturally. Bâtonnages are scarce, while barrels and tanks are used depending on the profile of the vintage.
- Aging: 15 months on fine lees, 70% stainless steel tanks and 30% oak barrels. French oak from the Tronçais forests. Medium toasted.
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
- Production (in cases): 4,200 bottles
- Alcohol: 13.0%
- Optimum Drinking: 2020-2030
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Tasting Notes
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The color is vibrant and bright with yellow and gold reflections. Aromas of minerals, flint, pear and peach jump out of the glass. The palate is pleasantly intense with citrus notes and a long mouthwatering finish. Very refined.
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Images
Reviews
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Domaine du Roc des Boutires Pouilly-Fuissé En Bertilionne – 2018 – Vinous – 92 Points
2018 Pouilly-Fuissé En Bertilionne is fabulous. A wine of precision and energy, the Bertilionne has just enough freshness to balance the natural generosity of the year. Lemon confit, white flowers, orchard fruit and saline notes are all finely knit. I very much like the translucence and cut here. In a word: impressive.
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Domaine du Roc des Boutires Pouilly-Fuissé En Bertilionne – 2018 – Jancis Robinson – 16.5 Points
Delicate, precise citrus aroma. Just slightly stony/mineral. Rounded texture and quite salty on the palate. Fresh and taut, mouth-watering finish, building to greater intensity at the end.
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Domaine du Roc des Boutires Pouilly-Fuissé En Bertilionne – 2018 – The Wine Advocate – 92 Points
The 2018 Pouilly-Fuissé En Bertillonne mingles notes of orange oil and yellow apple with hints of beeswax and fresh pastry. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and enveloping, it's a textural, elegantly muscular wine girdled by bright acids, concluding with a penetrating finish.