Château des Quarts - Pouilly-Fuissé 1er cru - L'Orangerie du Château des Quarts - White - 2022

Wine:

Sourced from just half a hectare of plateau vineyards near the Château des Quarts’ orangerie, the 2022 White Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru L'Orangerie is a masterclass in precision. Lean and pure, it opens with that telltale hint of flinty reduction from lees ageing, laced with citrus zest and subtle aromatic tension. On the palate, it’s all about energy—elegant yet vibrant, with depth and dimension. A strikingly mineral structure underpins the whole, carried by notes of citrus peel and a saline edge. It’s a wine that dazzles now, but will be even more rewarding after 5 to 6 years in the cellar. Rated 95/100 and named a Favourite of the Selection Committee, this is a rare gem not to be missed.

Vinification:

Hand harvested. Direct pressing, light settling in stainless steel vats, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels. Aged for 12 months in oak barrels and 6 months in stainless steel vats. Racked then lightly filtered (kieselguhr) before bottling, no fining.

Color:

Golden colour.

Nose:

Purity and precision, white fruit aromas emphasised by a delicate touch of oak.

Palate:

refined and full of flavour, this cuvée delivers remarkable energy and vibrancy—truly impressive. Give it 5 to 6 years in the cellar to let its full potential unfold.

Temperature:

Decant and serve between 10 and 12°C.

Food and wine pairing:

Bresse chicken in a creamy sauce with morels, veal stew, grilled lobster with tarragon butter, scallops in a curry sauce, fine fish.

Cellar aging:

From today until 2031 and beyond for enthusiasts.

Driven by two of Burgundy’s great winemakers—Olivier Merlin and Dominique Lafon of Domaine des Comtes Lafon—Château des Quarts is a standout terroir in Pouilly-Fuissé, now recognized as Premier Cru.

Since 2012, this dynamic duo has been unlocking the full potential of this exceptional site—the southernmost in the appellation. It’s a secluded 2.65-hectare clos, held as a monopole, with a significant portion of century-old vines rooted in limestone-rich soils.

Working together on this personal project, Merlin and Lafon bring their combined expertise to craft two benchmark cuvées: precision-made, barrel-aged whites that embody the very best of Burgundian craftsmanship—elegant, detailed, and uncompromising in quality.