2014 Pouilly-Fuissé “La Croix”

When I was growing up in laid-back 1970s California, Pouilly-Fuissé was the end-all-be-all of French whites among the, admittedly limited, sophisticated (read fancy) wine connoisseurs I knew. Thankfully, it never had a sketchy reputation to overcome like its frumpy American counterpart, the watered-down and now delegitimized “California Chablis” pumped out by the hoseful into vast jugs. Winemaking certainly has improved in the Golden State since then. Still, this Pouilly-Fuissé is what California Chardonnay should aspire to. Round and fleshy, with a chalky mineral backbone and bursting with citric juiciness, this sexy, supple, and voluptuous wine has a heady, velvet texture topped by a bright, vibrant acidity, like a glorious chapeau atop Mae West’s golden curls. It’s the total package. –Jennifer Oakes

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

• Vintage 2014
• Bottle Size 750mL
• Blend Chardonnay
• Appellation Pouilly-Fuissé
• Country France
• Region Burgundy
• Vineyard 79 years, 2 ha
• Soil Blue Schist
• Winemaker Jean-Jacques Robert
• Aging Aged 30 months in barrels
• Farming Lutte Raisonnée
• Alcohol 13.5%