Albert Bichot Pouilly-Fuisse 1er Cru 2022

Maison Albert Bichot was established in Beaune in 1831 by Bernard Bichot, grandfather of the first of a line of Albert Bichots.

The current managing director is Alberic Bichot (born 1964) who has revitalised the business which is now based around a series of domaines: Long-Depaquit in Chablis, Clos Frantin for the Côte de Nuits, du Pavillon for the Côte de Beaune and Domaine d’Adélie for Mercurey. Wines with one or other of these denominations will be from their own vineyards, while wines just bearing the name Albert Bichot will be from purchased grapes.

The company has separate vinification centres in Chablis, Pommard, Nuits-St-Georges and Beaune itself. Lupé-Cholet is an associated marque. Christophe Chavel has been looking after the vineyards since 2000, ensuring that they are all ploughed and no fertilisers are used. Alain Serveau, originally from a domaine in Morey-St-Denis, is technical director. Fermentation takes place in wooden vats of varying sizes depending on the specific plot of vines in question, using natural yeasts. Maturation is in oak barrels without too much new wood: 20 to 30 per cent for village wines, from 50 to 100 per cent for grands crus.

Bichot is now a serious player with some excellent red wines which avoid showing too much of a house style, and some fine whites

Located in southern Burgundy, in the Mâconnais region, the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation stretches over the villages of Fuissé, Solutré, Pouilly, Vergisson and Chaintré.

In 2020, following a long process of characterisation of the historic 'lieux dits', the appellation obtained the classification of a certain number of its Climats as Premier Cru.
Premier Cru "Clos Reyssié" covers 21.50 acres and is located in the commune of Chaintré, the southernmost village in the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation.

The grapes are hand picked before fermentation in oak barrels. The wine then ages for 10 months in 20% new oak before bottling.

The vines are planted on a magnificent east-facing slope at an altitude of between 230 and 250 metres.

Fine, delectable nose featuring notes of white flowers and citrus fruit combined with a touch of honey. This is a very flattering wine on the palate, round and generous, yet balanced by pleasing freshness.