96pt 2020 Vintage: 2020 Domaine Claude Manciat 'Courtelong' Pouilly-Fuisse
Pouilly-Fuisse is one of the leading value-driven white wine regions the world has ever known. The Chardonnay's from this region are cultivated on identical clay and limestone soils that make up the prestigious vineyards of the Cote de Beaune. The elephant in the room that separates these two regions is price.
Not only can top-notch Pouilly Fuisse compete with the Premier Cru's of the Cote de Beaune but, according to Neal Martin of The Wine Advocate, would embarrass the competing wines. Today we have one of these top-flight wines. Don't miss the 2020 Domaine Claude Manciat 'Courtelong' from Pouilly-Fuissé.
The 2020 Courtelong is lights out from start to finish. The wine opens up with subtle notes of green apple, dried apricot, lemon rind, white flowers, celery root, and roasted hazelnuts. It's richly concentrated, complex, and fully of charm. This is the perfect summertime wine that will quench your thirst for charismatic and complex white burgundy at a ground breaking price.
Marie-Pierre Manciat is the wizard behind this wine. The 2020 Courtelong is blended from multiple vineyards that are Marie-Pierre's best and oldest vines. The majority of the blend comes from the Premier Cru vineyard, Les Crays. It's Marie-Pierre's old vines and extended lees contact that set her wines apart. The Courtelong is one of the best examples of the ripeness and precision of high-quality Pouilly-Fuisse from one of its premier talents.
The Manciats are a household name in Pouilly-Fuisse. Marie-Pierre's father, Claude Manciat, was well known throughout the region during the 1980s. During his time Claude show that small vignerons could make a living bottling their own wine. Today the estate is run by his daughter Marie-Pierre Manciat, who represents the 5th generation of vignerons in her family.
According to The Buyer, Burgundy's 2020 vintage is the first vintage since 2015 to be equally successful for both white and red varieties. Brian Sieve of De Montille said that "the potential of the 2020 vintage is excellent.” Wine Enthusiast felt a similar way when they honored the vintage with 96 points.
You'll be hard-pressed to find another Pouilly-Fuissé of this quality at a better price. It's time to experience the magic of an up-and-coming region in a phenomenal vintage.
