In the past, the red vineyards far outnumbered the white in the Maconnais. However, this old plot has always been planted to Chardonnay, as land is better suited to a white grape - hence its name, Vignes Blanches.
The nose shows elegant aromas of white flowers (honeysuckle, acacia) and yellow fruits with mineral notes and brioche nuances. The wine is expressive and balanced with a silky texture, mineral and rich flavors finishing on a saline refreshing finish.
Savory Vol-au-vent (bouchees a la reine)
- Wine & Spirits (October 2021), 90 pts
"(aged in fûts and bottled on the day of my visit): Bright medium yellow. Reticent peach aroma lifted by sexy lemon zest. Nicely silky and broad, with its pliant fruit framed by minerality and complicated by a salty character. Not hugely concentrated but the juicy finish offers good rising length and a touch of tannins. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2017), 89 pts
"This rich wine is full of ripe yellow and melon fruitiness, showing the ripeness of the vintage. It has just the right acidity to balance the opulent fruit and the spice from wood aging. Drink now."
- Wine Enthusiast (November 2017), 90 pts
"This is opulent, boasting honey, peach, lemon and anise flavors. Lively acidity keeps this balanced and well-defined on the finish. Drink now through 2018. 900 cases made. –BS"
- Wine Spectator (June 30th 2016) 90 pts
"(this and the following 2014s were assembled in mass, awaiting bottling at the end of October; Saumaize did more lees stirring due to the high acidity of the 2014s, noting that they also needed longer élevage): Sexy lemon-limey citricity on the nose, complemented by a subtle touch of oak. Boasts lovely citrussy ripeness and density leavened by racy, well-integrated acidity. This wine, as well as the other 2014s at this address, has less than one gram of residual sugar. Really spreads out and glistens on the bone-dry, energetic finish. - Stephen Tanzer."
- VINOUS (December 2015) 89-91 pts
- Wine Enthusiast (October 2015), 90 pts
Go To Saumaize-Michelin Pouilly-Fuisse Vignes Blanches
"The 2011 Pouilly-Fuisse Vignes Blanches displays hints of melted butter and almond on the well-defined bouquet, adorned with scents of pine that emerge with continued aeration. The palate is fresh and vibrant on the entry, perhaps a little more compact than I would have liked, but it offers a succinct, citrus finish with a sherbet-tinged aftertaste.- NM"
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #208, August 2013), 90 pts
Go To Saumaize-Michelin Pouilly-Fuisse Vignes Blanches
"Relatively strong reduction presently dominates the nose though there is good vibrancy to the fleshy and very rich middle weight flavors that possess fine mid-palate concentration. This is actually very stylish and displays solid persistence but in contrast to the Pentacrine it seems less complex at present."
Allen Meadows' Burgound.com, 88-91 pts
Go To Saumaize-Michelin Pouilly-Fuisse Vignes Blanches
Saumaize-Michelin was founded in 1977, when Roger Saumaize received 4 hectares of vineyards from his father. Roger had grown up in the vineyards and began working them at age 14. ...
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