2007 Pascal Jolivet Pouilly Fumé – Quality Loire Sauvignon Blanc for a Song

Price: $99/6 ($17/bottle) SOLD OUT

Our good friend Yorick tends toward the melodramatic. Just the other day, while hanging out here at the store, he bellowed, “Why, then the world’s mine oyster, which I with sword will open!”

The exclamation was a bit odd, considering we had been discussing cheeses. But that’s Yorick for you. Apparently he had been contemplating oysters for some time because he then selected a bottle of 2007 Pascal Jolivet Pouilly Fumé off the shelf, a natural pairing with oysters and other delicate seafood.

Situated just across the Loire River from Sancerre, and planted with vines since the Roman Era around the fifth century, Pouilly-Fumé is known for balanced, structured white wines made exclusively from the Sauvignon Blanc grape. Sauvignon Blanc is also known locally as Blanc Fumé for the grey, smoky bloom that grows on the skins.

The house of Pascal Jolivet was founded in 1987 and owns over 70 acres of prime vineyards spread across the appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé. Pascal Jolivet is a firm believer in natural winemaking and practices environmentally friendly techniques in both the vineyard and the cellar.

Pascal Jolivet Pouilly Fumé comes from 20 acres in 3 separate vineyards owned by Jolivet in the villages of Tracy, Les Girarmes, and St. Andelain, with additional sourcing from Les Loges. These parcels constitute a large diversity of glacial soils, differing from village to village. The wine is fermented with native yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel. All parcels are vinified separately until final blending and bottling.

The 2007 is presently a golden glassful containing aromas of sweet hay, melon, and wet stone. Medium-light in weight, a burst of fresh and persistent acidity hits the midpalate and eventually turns into a lengthy, mild citrus peel finish.

A couple of weeks ago Yorick selected a fascinating Languedoc red wine labeled as a mere Vin de France from Hérault. We sold out within hours of publishing that email. Now is a chance to purchase a Pouilly Fumé that is drinking ideally, with some mellowing from age yet still possessing juicy acidity, and priced low enough so that you can buy more oysters, or a sweet sword with which to open them. If you’re in no mood for shucking, it pairs equally well with Crottin de chèvre out on the patio with friends.

About Yorick

Our good friend Yorick is a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy, wont to set the table on a roar. He is well versed in fine literature and wine. We’ve asked Yorick to join the team at Elie Wine Company and periodically browse our inventory for some hidden gems — sometimes obscure, always a good value — and share them with you. Alas, poor Yorick! He cannot hold his wine, or much of anything for that matter. But he does have exquisite taste.

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Posted on 2013.06.04 in France, Loire