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.

The first vineyard to be picked, this has a beautiful, bright, pale lemon colour. This is magical with beautiful grip. It has a touch more stuffing than the 2014 showed at the same stage but is sublimely balanced with weight, concentration drive and class. Very persistent, it is just the right side of heady. Drink 2018-2024.
Jasper Morris MW - Wine Buyer

The Bret Brothers began picking in August, the grapes being sugar ripe yet still retaining some acidity. They had finished by 7th September. These days the grapes are crushed before pressing, a technique which has sadly died out at most domaines, but adds texture and enhances the stability of the wines. The three Pouilly-Vinzelles wines are part of the Brets’ own Domaine de la Soufrandière, farmed biodynamically since they returned to the property in 2000.

A faint touch of reduction on the nose adds complexity here, while the palate has crisp pear notes and vibrant energy. There is just a touch of phenolic grip on the finish, extending its length. Drink 2020-2025.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer

Grandfather Bret bought this property in Vinzelles in 1947. In 2000 Jean-Philippe and Jean-Guillaume Bret took their vineyards out of the local co-operative and established Domaine de la Soufrandière with four hectares of vines in Pouilly-Vinzelles. They also have a négociant business, Bret Brothers. Their vines are, mostly, on a perfectly situated eastfacing slope of Vinzelles called Les Quarts, on Bajocian limestone with a high silica/quartz content. They are organic and biodynamic. The Bret brothers dub 2016 a “vigneron’s vintage”, which is to say that the key was to be in the vines. The hail on 13th April did significant damage but hard work in the vineyards (spraying biodynamic treatments from a backpack) paid off and ensured quality fruit. The Brets have added new vineyards in St Véran and Pouilly-Fuissé to the Soufrandière domaine, thus the whole range we buy is now from estate-grown fruit.

From vines aged over 80 years in the mid-slope sweet spot, the grapes were harvested at a concentrated 35hl/ha. Sparkling pale lemon in colour, this is very energetic with wonderful layered complexity and a lingering, mineral finish. Drink 2020-2026.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer

Grandfather Bret bought this property in Vinzelles in 1947. In 2000 Jean-Philippe and Jean-Guillaume Bret took their vineyards out of the local co-operative and established Domaine de la Soufrandière with four hectares of vines in Pouilly-Vinzelles. They also have a négociant business, Bret Brothers. Their vines are, mostly, on a perfectly situated eastfacing slope of Vinzelles called Les Quarts, on Bajocian limestone with a high silica/quartz content. They are organic and biodynamic. The Bret brothers dub 2016 a “vigneron’s vintage”, which is to say that the key was to be in the vines. The hail on 13th April did significant damage but hard work in the vineyards (spraying biodynamic treatments from a backpack) paid off and ensured quality fruit. The Brets have added new vineyards in St Véran and Pouilly-Fuissé to the Soufrandière domaine, thus the whole range we buy is now from estate-grown fruit.

This is the special cuvée from a few rows of vines which produce tiny, ultra-concentrated grapes. A very classy and intense nose offers notes of reduction, while there is incredible density on the palate. Full-bodied and powerful, but with sizzling minerality. Bottled for us exclusively in magnum. Drink 2021-2030.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer

Grandfather Bret bought this property in Vinzelles in 1947. In 2000 Jean-Philippe and Jean-Guillaume Bret took their vineyards out of the local co-operative and established Domaine de la Soufrandière with four hectares of vines in Pouilly-Vinzelles. They also have a négociant business, Bret Brothers. Their vines are, mostly, on a perfectly situated eastfacing slope of Vinzelles called Les Quarts, on Bajocian limestone with a high silica/quartz content. They are organic and biodynamic. The Bret brothers dub 2016 a “vigneron’s vintage”, which is to say that the key was to be in the vines. The hail on 13th April did significant damage but hard work in the vineyards (spraying biodynamic treatments from a backpack) paid off and ensured quality fruit. The Brets have added new vineyards in St Véran and Pouilly-Fuissé to the Soufrandière domaine, thus the whole range we buy is now from estate-grown fruit.

Les Longeays is on the border between Vinzelles and Chaintré (Pouilly-Fuissé). The nose is floral with a hint of cherries. On the palate, this is a beautiful wine with fresh peaches and a touch of lime zest making it complex and compelling. Impressive, intense yet balanced.

The 2014 harvest saw an early start, on 7th September, chez les Bret. The Brets characterise the vintage as combining excellent fruit with nervous tension, making the wines both approachable early and capable of long-term keeping. The three Pouilly-Vinzelles wines are from their own property, Domaine de la Soufrandière.

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.