Burgundy wines have a mysterious power over many of us - we know that these are among the finest wines produced in the world, but we regret that we cannot enjoy them regularly due to limited production and high prices in the markets.
It can be frustrating that many Burgundy wines command such high prices, but given the fragmented nature of the region's myriad appellations, it's understandable why producers charge so much for wines. Another side of this argument is that the costs of wines combined with their relative scarcity make for compelling reasons why Burgundy is so influential with so many wine lovers.
Well, not all burgundies are super expensive, nor are they scarce. I have recently tasted red and white Burgundies from three excellent and highly consistent producers, namely Château Fuissé, Domaine Faiveley and Olivier Leflaive, and have enjoyed a number of excellent to excellent wines, some of which are also good value.
Here are notes on these three properties, along with reviews of some of their best-known wines.
Chateau Fuisse- For many, Pouilly-Fuissé is a pleasant white Burgundy, but not one that creates much emotion. Having tasted many examples, I can understand that way of thinking, but perhaps if there were more examples of this wine represented by Château Fuissé's offerings, Pouilly-Fuissé would be held in greater regard.
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Pouilly-Fuissé is a product of the Mâconnaiszone of Burgundy, south of the famous Côte d'Or; other white wines produced in the Mâconnais area include Mâcon, Mâcon-Villages and Saint-Véran, all 100% Chardonnay wines. Pouilly-Fuissé is made from Chardonnay grown in four villages in this area, including Solutré-Pouilly and Fuissé, from which the wine derives its name.
Château Fuissé is one of the most dedicated producers in Pouilly-Fuissé, owning 25 hectares (62 acres) of vineyards in this production zone; they also own vineyards in Mâcon, Mâcon-Villages and a small plot in Julienas in Beaujolais.
There are several factors that explain why Pouilly-Fuissé examples of this property are so attractive; depth of fruit and remarkable varietal character are pronounced. But an indulgence in the character of these wines is immediately apparent upon smelling the wines, as there are aromas of beeswax, vanilla and sometimes honey to accompany pear and citrus. These notes are complex and combine well with each other, so the wood does not dominate the fruit in these wines; this despite the fact that the wines are fermented in barrels. It is also interesting to note that the wines are aged for 3 to 5 years in wood, with a mixture of old and new oak.
There are four different Pouilly-Fuissé offerings made by winemaker and general manager Antoine Vincent; the Vincent family has owned Château Fuissé since 1862. Here are notes on three of the wines:
Chateau Fuissé Pouilly-Fuissé “Les Clos” (Monopole) 2015 -Yellow light; aromas of vanilla, lemon cream, beeswax and aniseed. Medium-full with excellent concentration. Rich medium palate, ripe and fleshy fruit, good acidity and impressive persistence. Well balanced with very good complexity. Enjoy the next 5-7 years. There has been some discussion that some selected vineyards in the Pouilly-Fuissé area will be designated as Premier Cru soon; Les Clos would certainly be one of them.Out of common
Château Fuissé Pouilly-Fuissé “Les Combettes” 2014- O The Les Combettes vineyard is located at the southern tip of the village of Fuissé. Deep yellow; aromas of golden apple, marzipan and dried yellow flowers (peony). Medium-full with excellent concentration. Rich, layered palate, excellent complexity, excellent persistence. Very good acidity, excellent ripe fruit flavors of Anjou pear and mango. Beautiful harmony and a powerful finish with distinct white spices and minerality. A shining example of the excellent 2014 vintage in Burgundy. Excellent now and will drink well for another 5-7 years, maybe more.Superb
Chateau Fuissé Pouilly-Fuissé “The Burns” 2014 -Brûlés in French means “burnt”; here Les Brûlés refers to the slopes where the grapes for this wine are grown; are “burned” by the excellent exposure to the sun. This is a very mature, almost extreme style of Pouilly-Fuissé, with light golden yellow and aromas of honey, vanilla extract (the wine is aged in new oak barrels) and caramel. Very ripe and rich with a long finish and very good acidity. On its own, that's a bit extreme, but with the right foods like halibut or lobster, this is an appealing wine. Your opinion will depend on what you are looking for with a Pouilly-Fuissé. Enjoy now and the next 4-5 years.Great
Olivier Leflaive- Olivier Leflaive wines were first produced from the 1984 vintage, when Olivier Leflaive, then general manager of Vincent Leflaive, his uncle's winery, decided to produce wines under his own brand. His initial commercial practice was quite unusual at the time, as he would buy grapes and musts, and after vinification, he would decide to sell the wines.in advance, or before being bottled.
Today, the Olivier Leflaive estate boasts 17 hectares (42 acres) in some of Burgundy's most famous appellations, including Corton-Charlemagne, Corton Clos du Roi, Chevalier-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet “Les Pucelles” (1er Cru). Olivier himself has stepped down, focusing on his gourmet restaurant and hotel, while his team continues the top-notch work of the Leflaive name in Burgundy.
Olivier Leflaive Burgundy White “Les Sétilles” 2018- For anyone looking for a delicious white Burgundy at a reasonable price, look no further. A blend of grapes from around sixty plots in the villages of Puligny and Meursault. Yellow light; aromas of Bosc pear, lemon oil and magnolia. Medium body with good concentration. Excellent maturation, very good, slightly acidic acidity, impressive persistence. Very well made, it offers a lot of character for little money (the suggested retail price for the current offering of the excellent 2018 vintage is $20 a bottle). This is so consistent year after year, as a reliable white burgundy that is an excellent value. Enjoy the next 2-3 years.very good to excellent
Olivier Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet “As Criadas” 2015- Bright yellow; beautiful aromas of green apple and lemon peel. Medium-full with excellent concentration. Rich texture, great complexity, good acidity, excellent persistence. Excellent varietal purity and charming expression of the Puligny-Montrachet terroir. Simply beautiful now and should drink well for at least another 7-10 years.Superb
Olivier Leflaive Pommard 1er Cru “Les Pezerolles” 2017- Beautiful young garnet color; aromas of marachino cherry, cumin and clove. Medium-full with excellent complexity, good acidity, silky tannins and impressive persistence. Bright and delicious Pommard fruit; lovely balance and charm. A fine gastronomic wine to enjoy tonight or for the next 3-5 years.Great
Olivier Leflaive Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru 2017- Beautiful young and deep garnet; rich aromas of sour cherry, plum and black spice. Excellent concentration; rich middle palate. Ripe and slightly advanced, but full of layers of fruit. Beautifully structured with good acidity and rich, elegant tannins. Give this plenty of time. Very good expression of this site. 12-15 years.Out of common
Domaine Faiveley- Located in the village of Nuits-Saint Georges, Domaine Faiveley was founded in 1825. Today, seventh-generation family member Erwan Faiveley runs the business, joined by his sister Eve. Today the company produces more than five dozen wines from various areas of Burgundy, from the Côte Chalonnaise to the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits (a total of 31 wines from the Côte de Nuits).
Domaine Faiveley Ladoix Branco 2017- The village of Ladoix-Serrigny is located on the Côte de Beaune, on the border with Aloxe-Corton. Bright yellow; aromas of Meyer lemon, pineapple and yellow lilies. Ripe and advanced with notes of tropical fruits on the palate, it has good acidity, subtle notes of wood and good persistence. Straightforward and well balanced, this one is well made and offers a very good varietal character. Enjoy the next 3-5 years.Very good
Domaine Faiveley Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Champs-Gain” 2014-Straw; aromas of lemon zest, Bosc pear and goldenrod. Medium full with excellent depth of fruit. Ideal maturation, lively acidity, long, long finish with excellent persistence, impeccable harmony, superb varietal character and sense of place. The oak notes are very subtle, allowing the true character of the Champs Gain terroir to shine through. This is a wine of great freshness and excellent harmony – it is perfect from start to finish.This is the kind of Chardonnay that California producers (and others around the world) try to make but just can't.Excellent wine that is showing well now and should drink beautifully for another 7-10 years. Perfection!Superb
Domaine Faiveley Pommard “Les Vaumeriens” 2014- Gorgeous young ruby red; aromas of red cherry, red roses, red poppy. Medium-full with very good concentration. Very good acidity, impressive persistence, medium weight tannins and good overall harmony. Excellent Pommard character. Enjoy the next 5-7 years.Great
Domaine Faiveley Beaune 1er Cru Clos de L'Ecu (Monopole) 2016- young grenade; aromas of morel cherry, red fruits and thyme. Very good depth of fruit, rich mid-taste, good acidity, rich and youthful tannins. This offers a lot of character but needs time to settle down and release some of its youthful tannins. Peak at 10-12 years.Great
Domaine Faiveley Corton des Cortons Grand Cru (Monopole) 2014- Seductive aromas of ripe strawberry, red sweet cherry, marjoram and red pansies. Excellent concentration; exceptional Pinot Noir purity; excellent persistence, medium weight, silky tannins and very good acidity. Great complexity, harmony and structure. A sublime wine! Lovely now, peak consumption in 12-15 years - a truly excellent wine! Note that this wine, the Faiveley Corton Clos des Cortons, is the only Burgundy Grand Cru alongside Romanée-Conti to bear its owner's name.Superb
My thanks to the importer of these wines, Frederick Wildman, for his help in letting me taste these wines.
FAQs
Who is Olivier Leflaive? ›
Entrepreneurial and creative, in 1985 Olivier started his own business, focusing solely on quality, buying grapes and managing vineyards, with a team directed by Olivier Leflaive himself. With his own team in place, Olivier Leflaive was able to source wines from outside of Puligny-Montrachet.
Who owns Domaine Leflaive? ›Domaine Leflaive has been entirely a family domaine since its creation. Brice de La Morandière, great grandson of the founder, Joseph Leflaive, represents the fourth generation at the head of the domaine.
What grape is Pouilly Fuisse? ›What is Pouilly Fuissé? It is a white wine from the Burgundy region of France made from the Chardonnay grape. Pouilly Fuissé is in the southern part of Burgundy in a region known as the Maconnais.
Is Pouilly Fuisse in Burgundy? ›The Pouilly-Fuissé wine region is in the Mâconnais subregion of Burgundy in central France, located in the communes of Fuissé, Solutré-Pouilly, Vergisson, and Chaintré.
Who owns Domaine Faiveley? ›Erwan Faiveley, owner of Domaine Faiveley along with his family, took over the reins from his father in 2005 when he had just turned 25 years old and, since then, he has brought new dynamics to the family business.
Who owns Domaine D Eugenie? ›Domaine d'Eugenie was created when Francois Pinault of Chateau Latour bought the Rene Engel estate in Vosne-Romanee.
Who owns Domaine Leroy? ›Lalou Bize-Leroy owns the wineries Domaine d'Auvenay, Domaine Leroy, as well as the label Maison Leroy in Burgundy.
Which is better Pouilly-Fumé or Pouilly-Fuissé? ›Pouilly-Fumé is lighter in alcohol and more acidic, while Pouilly-Fuissé has a lot of body.
What is the best year for Pouilly-Fuissé? ›- Guffens-Heynen Pouilly-Fuissé Premier Jus des Hauts de Vignes, Maconnais, France, 2006.
- 2018 Guffens-Heynen Pouilly-Fuisse Tris des Hauts de Vignes.
- 2012 Guffens-Heynen Pouilly-Fuisse Premiers Tris.
White wines with more body, or oak, (Chardonnay, Pouilly Fuissé) should be served at a warmer temperature of 10-13 ̊ C (50 – 55 ̊ F) – just lightly chilled.
What is the difference between Sancerre and Pouilly-Fuissé? ›
Sancerre typically has a lean body and vibrant acidity, with refreshing and crisp citrusy flavors alongside notes of green grass. Pouilly-Fumé, on the other hand, boasts a medium body, with flavors leaning towards more stone fruits and apples, sometimes with floral or smoky notes.
What is the difference between Mâcon Fuissé and Pouilly-Fuissé? ›Don't confuse Mâcon-Fuissé with Pouilly-Fuissé. The latter is one of five village appellations, while the former is a smaller commune allowed to append its name to the larger regional title whose vineyards sit right above the more famous Pouilly-Fuissé.
How do you pronounce LaHave? ›The name was later anglicized to LaHave (pronounced La-Hay-ve). By the start of the 20th century, the river became a major lumbering and shipbuilding centre.
Who owns Casillero del Diablo brand? ›Casillero del Diablo - wine brand of Chile, owned by Concha y Toro.
Who owns Domaine de la Croix? ›The winery was founded by Maurice Martin in 1969. His son, Richard, took over in 1990 and was joined by his brother, Stéphane, in 1992. Richard manages the vinification and sales, and Stéphane oversees the vineyard.
Who owns Poppy wines? ›Simpsons' Wine Estate was established in 2012 by Ruth and Charles Simpson in Barham, Kent, amid the pristine beauty of the Elham Valley – an unspoilt seam in the North Downs where the contours of the land, climate and soil could scarcely be improved upon for viticulture.
Who is the CEO of Domaine Carneros? ›Remi Cohen - Chief Executive Officer - Domaine Carneros Winery | LinkedIn.
Who owns cupcake wine? ›Cupcake Vineyards is a wine brand based out of California's Central Coast. It speacilizes in value-priced wines, marketed for the American palate and sourced from established wine regions around the world. It was first established in 2008 and is owned by The Wine Group.
Why is Domaine Leroy so expensive? ›This places Domaine Leroy at the top of the table, along with the other top wines from Burgundy, when we talk about price increases in Burgundy. It is all about rising demand, which is largely driven by consumption. Particularly exquisite and high quality is sought-after, and that is a synonym of Domaine Leroy.
Who is the queen of Burgundy wine? ›
Madame Lalou Bize-Leroy has been widely known for years as the "Queen of Burgundy" and one of the most powerful women in wine.
Who owns most of Napa? ›- Laird Family Estate.
- Diageo (Beaulieu Vineyard, Sterling Vineyard, Mumm Napa Valley)
- Foster's Brewing Group (Beringer Vineyard)
- Robert Mondavi (Robert Mondavi Winery, La Famiglia di Robert Mondavi, and half of Opus One Winery)
Pouilly translation | French-English dictionary
adj. 1. lousy ; flea-ridden 2. crappy ; grubby.
Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes is a white wine with an aromatic expression of grapefruit, peach, acacia, brioche, plus a touch of honey in the background. Crunchy and refreshing attack, with citrus, peach and buttery flavors, finishing on great notes of acidity.
What does Pouilly-Fuissé mean? ›(puji fwiˈseɪ ) a dry white Burgundy wine made from the chardonnay grape.
Are Pouilly-Fumé and Pouilly-Fuissé the same wine? ›This is amazing.” Also, something to know is, often Pouilly-Fumé is confused with a place in Burgundy called Pouilly-Fuissé. Two completely different places, two completely different wines. It's Chardonnay and Burgundy, Sauvignon Blanc and Pouilly-Fumé.
What are the best years for white Burgundy? ›Average years for white Burgundy include the 2006, 2007 and 2009, as well as those ranging from 2011 to 2013. Be sure to pay attention to tasting notes accompanying these whites and opt for those whose producers grew their grapes to full ripeness – 'green' grapes were something of an issue in these years.
Is Pouilly-Fuissé the same as Chardonnay? ›Pouilly-Fuissé is an appellation in France's Burgundy region. Chardonnay is the only grape grown there, so the California equivalent would be a Chardonnay. There are many different styles of California Chardonnay, so not every single one will match up to your expectations for a Pouilly-Fuissé.
What food pairs well with Pouilly-Fuissé? ›Recommended Pairings: The mineral notes are pairing well with seafood. The well-balanced acidity goes nicely with white meat like veal or poultry, and for sure goat cheese. Its rich aromatic notes pair well with spicy and exotic foods and the acidity will also support sushi and sashimi.
How do you drink Pouilly-Fuissé? ›They will be just perfect as an aperitif with cheese puffs and gougères. For starters, they will happily accompany prawns, scallops and fish terrine. As a main course, try them on your grilled or fried fish (trout, smelt, white fish), frogs, roasted chicken or other grilled white meat (filet mignon, veal chop…).
What is the difference between Pouilly-Fumé and Pouilly Fuse? ›
Both French in origin and even though they are spelled similarly, the difference between them is night and day. Pouilly-Fume is made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape grown in the Loire Valley while Pouilly-Fuisse is made from the Chardonnay grape from Burgundy's Maconnais region.
Is Chablis better than Sancerre? ›It is no wonder that both whites have complexity and crisp minerality that make me want to eat fresh oysters! Still the Chablis has a little bit more body and the Sancerre more acidity. Both are great for summer! To that, we raise our glasses to you - santé!
Is Chablis like Sancerre? ›Both are steely and crisp. However, if we think of Sancerre and Chablis as sisters from another mister, it's easy to spot which wine is which, even in a blind tasting. That's because Chablis is always 100 percent Chardonnay, whereas Sancerre is 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc.
What is the closest wine to a Sancerre? ›4 Sancerre Alternatives: Try These Bottles From Lesser-Known Wine Regions. Savvy wine shoppers should look for value in lesser-known AOCs like Menetou-Salon, Coteaux du Giennois, Reuilly, Touraine, and Quincy. These four wines are a great start.
Is Pouilly-Fuissé oaked? ›Produced in the Mâconnais region of Burgundy, this famous wine is partially barrel fermented with 6 months of ageing in French oak casks. The judicious, subtle use of oak allows Louis Jadot's Pouilly-Fuissé to retain its complexity and structure.
Is Pouilly-Fuissé red or white? ›Pouilly-Fuissé is the home of the finest white wines of southern Burgundy's Maconnais district.
Is Pouilly-Fumé the same as Sauvignon Blanc? ›Pouilly-Fumé – a dry white wine made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes – is one of the Loire Valley's most revered wines. It is rivaled in this regard only by Sancerre, just the other side of the Loire River, and perhaps Vouvray.
What is the hardest to pronounce French word? ›Serrurerie
Brace yourself: The hardest French word to pronounce is the word for locksmith - "serrurerie".
: a dry white wine from the Loire valley of France.
Who owns the domaine de La Romanée Conti? ›| Domaine de la Romanée-Conti | |
|---|---|
| First vintage | 1232 |
| Key people | Aubert de Villaine, Henri-Frédéric Roch (co-owners), Jacques-Marie Duvault-Blochet |
| Known for | La Romanée-Conti, La Tâche |
| Varietals | Pinot noir, Chardonnay |
Who owns Domaine de Villaine? ›
Together with his wife Pamela, Aubert also owns and runs a domain in Bouzeron named Domaine de Villaine (alternately A et P de Villaine on some labels).
Who owns Domaine Anderson? ›This luxury 28-acre property is owned by Flynn Properties Inc.
Who owns Lulu winery? ›we are family. In 1998, owners John and Allison Chang moved to Canada from Taiwan. In 2001, they started their first winery in Richmond called Blossom Winery.
Who is the owner of Cupcake wine? ›Jessica Tomei is the Founder and Winemaker of Cupcake Vineyards.
Why is domaine wine so expensive? ›Why are the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti wines some of the most expensive in the world? It is a combination of three factors: very high quality, reputation and exclusivity, and consequently supply and demand. The domain's flagship is the Romanée-Conti Grand Cru.
Why is Romanée-Conti 1945 so expensive? ›Prestige and rarity, quite simply. The Domaine de la Romanée Conti is still considered the most prestigious wine in the world. It is also one of the rarest. In this case, the 1945 vintage in question is from a production of 600 bottles made just before the Domaine pulled up the vines and replanted them.
What is the most expensive wine in the world? ›- Chateau Lafite 1869 – Price: $230,000. ...
- Chateau Margaux 1787 – Price: $225,000. ...
- Ampoule from Penfolds – Price: $168,000. ...
- Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1787 – Price: $156,450. ...
- Henri Jayer, Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux 1999 – Price: $136,955.
About Château de Berne
The modern story of Berne begins in 1995, when the estate was purchased by British entrepreneur Mark Dixon. At that time he committed to improving the quality and authenticity of the wines by employing better, more organic methods of viticulture and re-developing the surrounding forests of Berne.
Owners, Charles and Ruth Simpson planted their first 10 hectares of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir on their estate near Canterbury in 2014.
Who owns Palmer's Winery? ›
Palmer Wines was established in 1977 by Helen and Steve Palmer. From humble beginnings, to being the proud owners of over 50 national and international wine awards Palmer Winery has come a long way.