Domaine des Nembrets Denis Barraud: Pouilly Fuisse, Saint Veran & Macon (Burgundy)

Domaine des Nembrets is a relatively new domaine comes from the very old vineyard holdings of the Barraud family who have been long established in this region. Denis is the 4^th generation to produce wines from his small holdings based in the town of Vergisson.

Vergisson is situated just a few kilometers to the north-west of the villages of Pouilly and Fuisse among the steep well drained chalky slopes just to the west of Macon. Denis Barraud has gradually taken control of several very old established vineyards that have been passed through the family for generations. Using organic farming principles he has nurtured these old vineyard sites producing small yields where production is so limited it is counted in number of bottles, not thousands of cases.

His holdings include less than 1 hectare of Macon Vergisson where total production is just over 2000 bottles.

His Saint Veran holdings are in 2 parcels averaging 40 years age near Davaye where approximately 3000 bottles per year are produced. In Pouilly Fuisse he has several holdings including Les Chataigniers and Les Folles which has vines of approximately 60 years age, and also in La Roche with 90 year old vines.

Vinification and ageing is done in stainless steel for most cuvees with only the Pouilly Fuisse “La Roche” being vinified 100% in barrique (none new) with ageing for about 7 months in mostly 1,2 and 3 year old barrels. The Pouilly Fuisse La Roche has such exceptional depth of fruit from the 90 year old vines that it matches well with the limited use of aged barrels. As with all wines produced at this estate, the focus is on the purity of fruit rather than winemaking artifice.

2010 Macon “Source des Plaisirs” – only a tiny quantity produced from vines averaging 40 years age. Shows lovely freshness and perfume, with excellent depth and persistence for a wine of this price and level. Only 300 bottles available each year. Needless to say it sells out quickly. Great value.

2008 Saint Veran -  vinified 50% in barrel and 50% in stainless steel, from vines averaging 40 year old. This wine shows fine floral fruit with restrained mineral nuances and crisp citric backbone. A fine and mineral style of Saint Veran with excellent purity and depth.

2008 Pouilly Fuisse “Les Chataigniers” – This wine comes from his vineyards on the slope of the Roche de Vergisson, a giant basalt monolith, surrounded by complex well drained soils with limestone outcroppings. This vintage is bright and fresh with a fine thread of mineral nuances together with a little creamy richness from the ageing on lees. While drinking well now this wine has the depth and acid structure to show well for several more years.

2007 Pouilly Fuisse “Les Folles”  - produced from 65 year old vines without any oak ageing, this wine has wonderful focus and length with real persistence and depth on the palate. A very complete wines with excellent purity and balance.

2007 Pouilly Fuisse “La Roche”  - Produced from 90 year old vines. Vinified and aged in barrique (none new) this shows exceptional freshness and acid structure for the vintage.