Domaine J.A. Ferret Pouilly-Fuisse Cuvee Hors Classe Les Menetrieres 2016 (AM:91)

Domaine Ferret is located in the Maconnais district of Burgundy. The 18 hectares (45 acres) of estate-owned vineyards are entirely contained within the boundaries of the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation and are planted across the region's full range of terroirs. The portfolio is predominantly focused on single-vineyard and single-parcel wines made from Chardonnay.
The domaine dates back to 1840 and is renowned for its parcel-by-parcel vinification approach introduced by Jeanne Ferret, who owned the company until 1993. Ferret was responsible for the establishment of two of the domaine's most well-known vineyards: Tête de Cru and Hors Classe. Her daughter Colette managed Domaine Ferret up until 2008 when it was purchased by Louis Jadot.
The domaine's diverse soil types vary from poor limestone soils, to richer clays and volcanic pebbles. This geological variation means that there is a lot of variation in Domaine Ferret's wines. The east-facing Tête de Cru vineyard, for instance, is the source of the Le Clos, Clos des Prouges and Les Perrières wines, while the southeast-facing Hors Classe vineyard produces two parcel specific wines: Les Ménétrières and Tournant de Pouilly. The domaine's highest-quality parcels are also blended to produce its Pouilly-Fuissé wine label.

Appellation:
AOC Pouilly-Fuissé, Maconnais, Bourgogne

Country of Origin:
Burgundy, France

Type:
White/Blanc (Still)

Grape Variety:
Chardonnay

Soil:
The soil, which is derived from alluvial deposits, consists of a mix of deep silt and clay containing few stones. The subsoil features streaks of limestone and limestone marls, while the top layers are rich in stone-free limestone deposits derived from the light marls of the Dogger bank.

Vinification:
Fermentation and maturation took place in barrel, of which a third were new, a third second use and the remainder third use. Maturation lasted nine months, then the wine spent five months in stainless steel tanks on fine lees.

Tasting Notes:
Much more subtle if not indiscernible reduction removes the top notes from the array composed by notes of exotic fruit, petrol and wood toast. There is first-rate volume to the caressing medium weight plus flavors that possess plenty of dry extract that imparts a succulence to the solidly persistent finish. This is a big but reasonably refined wine that flashes just a bit more overall depth.