Pouilly-Vinzelles Climat "Les Quarts" Clocheton Ovoide Zen AOC 2023

The Pouilly-Vinzelles Climat "Les Quarts" Clocheton Ovoide Zen is a dry Chardonnay from southern Burgundy that draws its calm from old vines and long ageing in a concrete egg. In the glass, a bright, clear straw yellow. The aromatic profile opens with lemon cream, crème pâtissière and shortcrust pastry with salted butter, followed by dried wildflowers, herbal tea and mellow apple.

The grapes come from the Le Clocheton parcel within the historic climat Les Quarts in Pouilly-Vinzelles. The 50- to 80-year-old vines face southeast at around 230 metres of altitude, rooted deep in clay-limestone soils of the Bajocian, rich in silicate crystals. La Soufrandière traces back to Jules Bret, who acquired the first hectare in 1947. Since 2000, brothers Jean-Philippe and Jean-Guillaume Bret have run the estate biodynamically, working the vineyard in part with horses.

Pure Chardonnay, selectively hand-harvested and whole-cluster pressed. The must ferments spontaneously, and ageing takes place entirely in a 19-hl concrete egg, whose shape keeps the lees in fine circulation and promotes the silky texture. No sulphur is added during fermentation or ageing, only a minimal dose at unfiltered bottling. 13.5% ABV.

Calm and balanced, with no single element pushing forward. The ripe acidity stretches broadly and finds its counterpart in powdery-fine tannins, the structure remaining tight and clear. A purist wine, more evolved than crafted.

With pan-fried turbot, lobster or mature Comté.

Limited single-vineyard bottling from minimal yield. The estate has been certified organic by Ecocert since 2003 and biodynamic by Demeter since 2006, with the Demeter logo appearing on the label.