Vineyards and winemaking
The fruit comes from the rolling Beaujolais hills south of the domaine's home in Solutré-Pouilly. Granite-based soils suit Gamay particularly well, encouraging bright fragrance, supple fruit and the subtle mineral definition associated with the area's best village sites.
Fermentation in stainless steel was chosen to retain the variety's fresh red-fruit character. Bottle ageing has since softened the wine's tannins and moved its profile towards dried fruit, spice and earth, giving this 2017 a more savoury expression than a young Beaujolais.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Light ruby-garnet with a brick-red edge and good clarity.
Nose
Dried raspberry, red cherry and cranberry mingle with rosehip, white pepper and a gentle woodland note.
Palate
Light to medium-bodied, with softened red fruit, fine tannins and lively acidity. Earth, dried herbs and a touch of clove bring maturity to the smooth, quietly persistent finish.
Food pairing
Serve lightly cool with pâté en croûte, honey-glazed ham, Toulouse sausages with lentils, or a mushroom and Gruyère galette. Its modest weight also makes it a thoughtful choice for a traditional ploughman's lunch.
Background story
Domaine de Pouilly is based in Solutré-Pouilly at the heart of the Mâconnais. Brothers Vincent and Pierre-Antoine Besson represent the family's fifth generation of winegrowers, following a line that began with their grandfather Pétrus in 1933.
This mature Beaujolais shows another side of the Besson family's range beyond its better-known white Burgundies. Stand the bottle upright before serving and pour gently; extended decanting is unnecessary, as the wine's more delicate mature aromas are best enjoyed soon after opening.
