Pouilly-Fuissé Vers Cras – 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 ‘Vers Cras’: 1.619 hectares (0.4 acres), clay and limestone soils. The ‘vielles vignes’ of Chardonnay, located at the southern end of Burgundy, are planted between 250 and 500 meters in altitude, higher than the others AOC from Bourgogne. Thus, they provide both maturity and freshness to the wines.
- Size: 1.619 hectares / .4 acres
- Vine Age: 50-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 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, 60% stainless-steel tank and 40% used oak barrels. French oak from the Tronçais forests. Medium toasted.
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
- Production (in cases): 1,300 bottles
- Alcohol: 13.0%
- Optimum Drinking: 2020-2030
Images
Reviews
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Domaine du Roc des Boutires Pouilly-Fuissé Vers Cras – 2018 – Burghound – 91 Points
Once again there is whisper of the exotic in the form of lychee on the fresh aromas apple, essence of pear and white peach. The sleeker,more intense and stony middle weight flavors possess notably better persistence on the balanced, clean and agreeably dry finale. This too could use a bit more depth,but it should be capable of developing more with a few years of bottle age.
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Domaine du Roc des Boutires Pouilly-Fuissé Vers Cras – 2018 – Wine Enthusiast – 90 Points
Gentle vanilla notes wrap themselves around ripe Mirabelle plum fruit on the nose of this wine. The palate continues with this scented, gentle smoothness that fills palate and mind. The dry finish reveals concentration.
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Domaine du Roc des Boutires Pouilly-Fuissé Vers Cras – 2018 – The Wine Advocate – 91+ Points
The 2018 Pouilly-Fuissé Vers Cras opens in the glass with hints of blanched almonds, fresh pastry and crisp yellow orchard fruit. Medium to full-bodied, bright and incisive, it's less overtly textural and more introverted than the other wines in the portfolio this year, and I suspect it will flesh out to fine effect with a little bottle age.