Domaine Pascal Jolivet is relatively young, founded 1982, its wines can already be found in top Michelin star restaurants across France. Highly specialized at making Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé of great elegance, balance and finesse, Pascal Jolivet are strong believers in letting nature make the wine, while endeavouring to articulate the suppleness of Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Labelled for many years as Fumé Blanc, the vintages of Pouilly-Fumé are amongst the most charismatic and immediately appealing, refreshing white wines of all France.
The vineyards of Pouilly are 200 kilometres south of Paris, on the right bank of River Loire. Domaine Pascal Jolivet operate eight hectares of Pouilly Fumé around the villages of Tracy and Les Loges. Soil types vary greatly, Les Loges is very chalky, contributing body and length to the wines, Tracy is rich in silica, adding fruit to the palate and bouquet. Grapes are sorted by hand and crushed, each vineyard parcel is separately handled. Juices are treated to a long and slow vinification through the action of wild native yeasts in temperature controlled fermenters. Upon completion, components are left on sedimentery lees for four to six months, infusing complexity while building structure and adding texture.
Light straw lime hue. A clean nose of nashi fruits, lemon and thyme enhanced by luscious mineral gunflint notes. Focussed, decidedly mineral palate over layers of piquantly ripe fruit, wet stone and quartz, before a penetrating, acid line finish, resurging minerality and whisp of smoke. Superb as aperitif, a delight alongside good food, crustacea or goat cheese recipes.
