Marcel Couturier Pouilly-Fuissé ‘Clos Scellés’ 2023

While most of the estate's wines are bottled after 11 months ageing on fine lees, this is bottled after 15 months due to its intensity and strength of character. This Pouilly-Fuissé is a blend of two vineyards: Pouilly-Fuissé Clos Reyssié has vines more than 80 years old in Chaintre on silty, clay and limestone dominated soils; and Pouilly-Fuissé Les Scellés comes from vines more than 50 years old in Fuissé, planted on the hillside on schistous clay soils with an easterly exposure. Clos Scellés has a golden yellow colour. On the nose there are complex aromas of white flowers, yellow fruits, and candied lemons. On the palate, it is generous and mouth filling with a crisp, ‘sweet’ fruitiness, lots of finesse and a beautiful mineral finish.

Domaine Marcel Couturier has rapidly become a reference in the Mâconnais. Established in 2005 in the commune of Fuissé this small 11 hectare estate is relatively new yet has already acquired beautiful vineyard holdings in the main appellations of Mâcon, Loché and Fuissé in less than 20 years. Marcel is now assisted by his son Auxence and daughter Cladie. Since 2017 Cladie has taken responsibility for winemaking while Auxence works the vines with his father. And in just the last few years, the estate has moved to organic and bio-dynamic viticulture, with certification in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

All the fruit is whole bunch pressed without sulphur. And post-ferment, the wines are matured for 11-15 months on fine lees in barrel without batonnage and again without any further sulphur additions, until a minimal amount is added at bottling. The result is a range of wines that offer wonderful aromatic purity and flavour complexity in a style that is at once fine and elegant yet brimming with palpable energy. And they represent outstanding value.