Pouilly-Fuissé Premier Cru Au Vignerais Olivier Merlin 2020

Description

Olivier Merlin is widely regarded as being one of the very finest winemakers in the Mâconnais. He and his wife Corinne began in 1987 by renting 4.5 hectares. from René Gaillard, of Domaine du Vieux Saint-Sorlin, who wished to retire. Since then, Olivier has been buying the property in stages as well as adding new vineyards such as St Véran (in 1994 and ‘96).

Vignerais is a large vineyard, but the Merlins are in the highest part – at 350 metres’ altitude and facing south. Olivier explains that this is typically very austere in youth and requires a little patience. The 2020 has benefited from some time in bottle and has gained weight and breadth with time. Open and expressive, it has a generous core of fruit with delicious minerality.

93 points Vinous "The 2020 Pouilly-Fuissé Au Vignoret 1er Cru comes from a one-third of a hectare parcel. It has a complex bouquet with yellow fruit, lanolin and crushed rock aromas. The palate is very well balanced, elegant and precise, a little more linear and direct than the Clos de France and very persistent towards the finish. Merlin described this as very Côte d'Or in style - I can see what he means (except for the price maybe!) ". Neal Martin