2022 Chateau de Fuisse Pouilly Fuisse Le Clos Monopole, Burgundy

The arrival of 22 Premiers Crus in Pouilly-Fuissé from the 2020 vintage was a significant moment for this Mâconnais appellation, and this wine from the `22 vintage is the first to win a place in our Best In Show selection. The vineyards themselves, of course, have been there for centuries, so in terms of aroma, flavour and weight nothing has changed: Pouilly-Fuissé was always one of the most generously contoured white wines in Burgundy, and it remains so. Premier Cru, though, provides an opportunity for the spotlight to swing onto individual sites. This site is clearly outstanding: wealth, warmth and comfort sings out of the glass of this pale gold wine. It’s mouthfilling, broad and amply articulated, rich with a high-summer generosity of nuts, grasses, straw and pounded hazels and almonds; the finish is long, vinous, broad but finally neatly tailored and without any undue heat. A benchmark example of this unique and much-loved appellation in an enduring and alluring vintage.

97 points decanter.com Best In Show

https://awards.decanter.com/DWWA/2024/wines/756593

Chateau de Fuissé Pouilly-Fuissé Le Clos Monopole, Burgundy, is an exquisite single-vineyard Chardonnay that highlights the prestige and dedication of Chateau de Fuissé in the heart of Pouilly-Fuissé. The Le Clos vineyard, a rare monopole exclusively owned by the estate, lies adjacent to the historic chateau and benefits from limestone-rich soils and a prime southern exposure. These conditions, coupled with the unique terroir of Pouilly-Fuissé, yield Chardonnay with exceptional minerality, elegance, and complexity, making Le Clos Monopole a flagship expression of the region.

Winemaker Antoine Vincent, continuing his family’s five-generation legacy, approaches Le Clos Monopole with meticulous care. The grapes are hand-harvested, gently pressed, and fermented in French oak barrels to enhance structure and depth without overpowering the natural vibrancy of the fruit. This thoughtful process brings out the nuanced character of Le Clos, capturing the essence of the vineyard while allowing the wine to develop beautifully with age.

Le Clos Monopole offers refined aromas of white peach, citrus blossom, and a hint of toasted almond, underlined by a signature flinty minerality. On the palate, flavors of green apple, pear, and lemon zest are balanced by a creamy texture and fresh acidity, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish. This Pouilly-Fuissé captures the precision and sophistication for which Chateau de Fuissé is known, making it an excellent choice for Chardonnay connoisseurs and collectors.