Pouilly Fuisse Haut de la Roche, Verget 2022

The 2022 Pouilly-Fuissé Le Haut de la Roche is one of the highlights of the range, offering up aromas of pear, confit citrus, buttered popcorn, beeswax and white flowers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, racy and incisive palate that remains cool and saline despite the warm vintage.

When the "Sur la Roche" vineyard was awarded Premier Cru status, vines at the top of the Roche de Vergisson were excluded because of their altitude. A decision that Jean-Marie Guffens finds absurd - particularly bearing in mind global warming and the public's thirst for fresher wines with lower alcohol. So this wine is cheaper and a little more mineral that the Roche itself. It neverless has excellent richness and length. This is a personal favourite - the tension and lithe, sleek profile make this such a drinkable, refreshing style despite its depth. Struck flint, citrus peel and mandarin oil form the nose, which has a lightly sweet spice to it. The palate's backbone is built on acid, cutting through the core of ripe citrus fruit. Intense yet with a sense of delicacy, there are notes of white flowers and just-ripe pears. Crunchy, with a hint of pithy texture, the finish is very long. This is a linear, steely wine but it still packs a punch of flavour. Matching vintage warmth and cool site beautifully.