Pouilly Vinzelles

This superb cuvée is made from a handful of parcels around Vinzelles – including vines in the appellation’s most prestigious vineyard, Les Quarts. In keeping with the Bret Bros’ “house style” it’s taut and mineral, with a sense of latent energy, and is bound to age well. It is aged for nine months in used oak.

This southeast-facing vineyard is an extension of Les Quarts but has deeper soil, giving earlier-ripening vines and thus a richer profile to accompany the crisp, clean and floral style of Vinzelles. Plenty of mid-palate weight and a pleasing grip on the finish suggest great potential. Drink 2020-2026.

The Bret brothers described 2017 as another warm and early vintage, with harvest beginning on the 26th August. They picked early compared to many of their peers, Jean-Philippe explaining that maturity came very quickly. Their decision to bring the grapes in quickly, along with their organic and biodynamic viticulture, has resulted in wonderfully fresh wines. In the cellar they are experimenting with lower levels of sulphur during the winemaking process, with the aim of obtaining full fruit and terroir expression in their wines.

From vines aged over 80 years old and located in the mid-slope sweet spot of this beautiful vineyard, this is delightfully balanced. The perfect weight of fresh fruit sits alongside vibrant energy and purity that gives a spine-tingling finish. An outstanding wine with poise, grace and verve. Drink 2020-2027.

The Bret brothers described 2017 as another warm and early vintage, with harvest beginning on the 26th August. They picked early compared to many of their peers, Jean-Philippe explaining that maturity came very quickly. Their decision to bring the grapes in quickly, along with their organic and biodynamic viticulture, has resulted in wonderfully fresh wines. In the cellar they are experimenting with lower levels of sulphur during the winemaking process, with the aim of obtaining full fruit and terroir expression in their wines.

The special cuvée – bottled for us exclusively in magnums – comes from a few rows of vines which produce tiny, ultra-concentrated grapes. There is a lovely touch of reduction on the nose and a constantly changing array of aromas. The palate is concentrated with weighty fruit, buzzing energy and tons of dry extract. Wow. Drink 2021-2030.

The Bret brothers described 2017 as another warm and early vintage, with harvest beginning on the 26th August. They picked early compared to many of their peers, Jean-Philippe explaining that maturity came very quickly. Their decision to bring the grapes in quickly, along with their organic and biodynamic viticulture, has resulted in wonderfully fresh wines. In the cellar they are experimenting with lower levels of sulphur during the winemaking process, with the aim of obtaining full fruit and terroir expression in their wines.

One of Burgundy’s most iconic white wines, this 2009 vintage of Domaine de la Soufrandière’s flagship Pouilly-Vinzelles has a pure, fine and well-chiselled bouquet. The palate is multi-layered, poised and classic with just a trace of tannin helping to define the structure. This is a very impressive wine.

Tight juicy fruit with yellow plums. Very intense on the palate with a raft of stone fruit concentration throught he middle. A tightly wound, impressive white Burgundy wine.

Every year one small section of the Les Quarts vineyard produces tiny ultraconcentrated grapes which are vinified and bottled separately. 2006 was so extraordinary that we suggested they bottle it all in magnums for us, which they did. The cream-infused fruit explodes across the palate of this tremendously rich and decadent wine. Not for the faint-hearted but an unforgettable experience.

Here the yields were particularly small and the wine exceptionally concentrated as a result. This year it includes grapes that usually go into the cuvée millerandée, a wine not bottled this year as there was too little made. This is spectacular wine from the Bret’s flagship vineyard. Magically intense, it has a dramatic mineral core and amazing persistence.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Director

The three Bret Brothers are now presiding over an expanded cellar at their home base, Domaine de la Soufrandière, though this development is intended to give them better working facilities rather than because they want to grow the business dramatically. It is a particularly small crop this year as a result of some hail damage as well as the poor flowering experienced elsewhere. Despite this, the wines are exactly what the Bret’s like to produce – pure and crystal clear, with intensity more than weight.

Pouilly-Vinzelles, Les Longeays is a beautiful vineyard next door to Les Quarts. It makes dense concentrated wine, with an extra dimension in 2010: grace, freshness and underlying power.
Jasper Morris MW, BBR Buying Director

The three Bret Brothers are now presiding over an expanded cellar at their home base, Domaine de la Soufrandière, though this development is intended to give them better working facilities rather than because they want to grow the business dramatically. It is a particularly small crop this year as a result of some hail damage as well as the poor flowering experienced elsewhere. Despite this, the wines are exactly what the Bret’s like to produce – pure and crystal clear, with intensity more than weight.

From a special patch within Les Quarts vineyard, bottled exclusively in magnums, this has an even richer dimension than the regular bottling, as ever without losing any class. The weight of the wine requires an extra few months élévage. It is fabulous, concentrated stuff.
Jasper Morris MW,Berrys' Burgundy Director The new underground cellar extension was completed in time for the 2011 vintage, to the relief of brothers Jean-Philippe, Jean-Guillaume and Marc-Antoine Bret who appreciated the space to work. The 2011 vintage combines both quality and quantity: the Brets describe it as “early, ripe and balanced”. The wines from their own property, Domaine de la Soufrandière, are certified biodynamic. Everything is fermented and matured in barrel but with no new wood.

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