2023 Domaine de Bel Air, `Cuvée des Acoins` Pouilly-Fumé - Liberty

Owned by the Mauroy family, Domaine de Bel Air comprises 15 hectares of Pouilly-Fumé vineyards, located on the south-facing slopes of Pouilly-sur-Loire and Saint-Andelain. Winemaker Katia Mauroy-Gauliez and her brother Cédric are the eighth generation to oversee Domaine de Bel Air, which has been in the family since the 19th century. Katia’s wines are among the best in the appellation and are highly regarded for their structure and generosity.

Katia sources fruit from three vineyards to add complexity to her Pouilly-Fumé blend. Most of the blend comes from a parcel planted on Kimmeridgian limestone, adding mineral structure to the final wine. The remainder is sourced from vines planted on limestone, clay and sand, supplying ample fruit and aromatics to the blend. Domaine de Bel Air’s Pouilly-Fumé has a distinctive flinty character with undertones of ripe white currants. It is classic, understated and a joy to drink.

The fruit for Domaine de Bel Air’s ‘Cuvée des Acoins’ Pouilly-Fumé is sourced from a selection of the oldest vines in a ‘lieu-dit’ on the Saint-Andelain slopes, above the Loire River. These vines are south-east facing and planted on Kimmeridgian marl soils, which creates rich texture. The resulting wine is defined by notes of yellow fruits, blossom and hints of ginger lingering on the palate, which is well-balanced with bright, refreshing acidity.

The fruit for Domaine de Bel Air’s ‘Cuvée des Acoins’ Pouilly-Fumé is sourced from a selection of the oldest vines in a ‘lieu-dit’ on the Saint-Andelain slopes, above the Loire River. These vines are south-east facing and planted on Kimmeridgian marl soils, which creates rich texture. All of the vineyards are farmed following sustainable practices and 'la lutte raisonnée'.

The 2023 vintage in the Loire began with a cool and relatively rainy winter which replenished soil water reserves after the hot and dry 2022 vintage. The vineyards largely escaped the threat of spring frosts and flowering and fruit set took place under excellent dry and sunny conditions at the end of May. It was very dry and hot during July and August with caused some heat damage. Some welcome showers arrived in September and gave the vines a necessary boost to complete the final stages of ripening. The harvest lasted from the 14th to 18th September and the quality of the fruit was excellent.

The grapes were harvested between the hours of 04:00 and 12:00, in order to keep the grapes cool and preserve the aromatics of the Sauvignon Blanc. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks in Domaine de Bel Air's historic cellars in Le Bouchot. The wine then spent between three and four months on its lees, giving it a more nuanced, silken and ‘gourmand’ character than the domaine's classic Pouilly Fumé.

Well-balanced and rounded, this wine delights with its fruity and mineral flavour profile. On the nose, notes of yellow fruits, blossom and hints of ginger burst out of the glass. Beautifully textured on the mid palate and well-balanced with bright, refreshing acidity.