2016 Le Petit Clos, Vouvray sec, Bernard Fouquet – Domaine des Aubuisières

This 2016 Vouvray Sec Le Petit Clos from Bernard Fouquet has terrific balance – a lovely blend of ripe fruit with vibrant acidity giving a typical austere Vouvray finish. This comes from a single vineyard with the vines planted on clay limestone. 

The 2016 is drinking well now but clearly has the potential to mature and develop over many years. Demonstration that Bernard Fouquet is among the best producers in Vouvray.   

Vouvray: a rather grey 4th April

After the tasting of 2011 Vouvrays I had time to wander up into the vines by the Clos Baudoin, now owned by François Chidaine but previously by Prince Poniatowski. (It was in the Poniatowski family from 1918 to 2002.)   Up by Le Clos Baudoin there are good views across to other leading Vouvray vineyards and you see how the valleys cut into the plateau with the vines above and most of the houses below.   

 Signs of producers along La Vallée de Nouy, Vouvray

 Part of the Clos Baudoin – the south western end – with quite a few vines needing to be replaced 

 

 Gate into the Clos Baudoin

 Vineyard beside Le Clos Baudoin 

Looking across from Le Clos Baudoin over La Vallée de Nouys towards Le Clos du Bourg (Huet), which is beyond the buildings (associated with Le Clos du Bourg?) on the skyline. Both the Clos Baudoin and Clos du Bourg face southwards. 

The buds are still very closed – just as well as the nights are often frosty this cold April

 Across to the tower by Le Clos du Bourg
Taken from wall that encircles the Clos Baudoin

Clos Baudoin and across La Vallée de Nouy


Through a gap in Le Clos Baudoin looking towards Le Haut Lieu over La Vallée de Nouy

 Roofs close to the Espace du Vin with the vines starting again on the top of the slope

 A shrine near Espace du Vin

 Sign for Chambres d'Hôtes

 Vines and troglodyte cellars  

 Troglodyte dwellings and cellars

1996 Le Marigny, Vouvray sec, Domaine des Aubuisières, Bernard Fouquet

Bernard Fouquet's 1996 Le Marigny, Vouvray Sec made a fine apéritif this evening. Although now 14 years old this is still youhtful and it has developed attractive citric honey notes balanced with ripe acidity in the long finish.

Report on visit to Bernard Fouquet in January 2009.