2022 Pouilly-Fumé 'Cuvée Séduction', Domaine Des Fines Caillottes, Jean Pabiot et Fils

The experienced winemaking team at Domaine Pabiot have taken those beautifully ripe, concentrated sauvignon blanc grapes, and treated them to a long, slow fermentation in fine French oak barrels, with extensive 'battonage' (stirring of the lees) over 18-months. The combination of extended lees ageing, and oak influence adds a wonderful richness and texture to the wine, a silky creaminess and incredible length of flavour.

Tasting

Upon pouring there is a notable golden-straw coloured sheen in the glass, visually it suggests a fine white Burgundian chardonnay, perhaps one with a little maturity, and giving the glass a swish releases an initial burst of summer blossom and exotic fruit aromas.

With time aromas of elegant citrus fruit, a touch of nectarine and apricot and a subtle woody richness surface; you can tell there is concentration here and it's immediately apparent that this is no 'ordinary' Loire Valley sauvignon blanc.

Onto the palate and there is so much going on; again I was taken back to Burgundy, the stone fruit, mature orchard fruit and apricot are met with a warming richness and exotic spice. There's a zippy minerality and slateyness, and the finish is dry, yet possesses a wonderful silky creaminess to it.

The length on the finish is fantastic, and a prickly gooseberry freshness appears wrapped in that warming leesy, woody charm.

I think this will age remarkably well, likely well beyond my 2030 suggestion, becoming richer and more savoury as it does so. I'm not disciplined enough to keep my hands off such a wine for any meaningful length of time, so I shall be pulling the cork and serving this at my earliest opportunity!

It's certainly delicious as an unaccompanied glass of white, but will also impress alongside seafood dishes, lighter white meats and those menus with a creamy or spicy element

13.5% ABV | Drink Now - 2030+ | 

James Russell-Grant - FromVineyardsDirect