Gitton Pere et Fils Pouilly-Fume Clos Joanne D'Orion 2023

Drink it now or cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant, but best to open it half an hour before service.

The French winery Gitton Père et Fils has been located in the Loire Valley, specifically in Ménétréol-sous-Sancerre, since 1945, when it was founded by Huguette & Marcel Gitton. Today, the estate, with its 33 hectares of vineyards, is managed by Pascal, the Gittons' son, along with his wife and daughter.

The Sauvignon Blanc grapes, or Blanc Fumé, as it is locally known, come from a vineyard planted in 1973 at 165-200 meters above sea level. The vines enjoy northwest exposure and are rooted in Kimmeridgian marl. After harvest, fermentation occurs spontaneously with indigenous yeasts, and the finished wine then ages in stainless steel tanks for 6 months.

The result is a vibrant and elegant wine with a mineral character, thanks to the area's marly and calcareous soils. Its aromatic profile is broad and fragrant, with floral notes alternating with citrus scents, wet stone, honeyed and smoky touches. On the palate, it has a medium body and lively acidity. It is crisp, lean, and linear. It has a distinctive minerality and an intriguing complexity on the palate. The long, persistent finish evokes citrus notes and savory hints. It is excellent with raw fish and fresh goat cheeses.