Domaine du Roc des Boutires

Having already transformed Château du Moulin-à-Vent into one of the region’s most dynamic properties, the Parinet family settled their sights on Fuissé, buying this domaine back in 2016 – and has rapidly started producing some fabulous wines from it.

The same winemaker, Brice Laffond, is responsible for winemaking across both estates – and has proven he is equally adept with Chardonnay and Gamay.

The estate is positioned close to the Roche of Solutré, the iconic rock-face sometimes known as “the sphinx of the Mâconnais”, which, along with the excellent Aux Bouthières vineyard, is the source of the domaine’s name, “Roc des Boutires”.

There are 14 parcels of vines, totalling 4.2 hectares, spread along the Côte de Pouilly, sitting between 210 to 430 metres’ altitude and averaging around 40 years in age. The vineyards here are top-drawer, sharing similar subsoils with the best sites in the Côte d’Or, including two plots in newly minted Premier Cru sites – Aux Bouthières and Aux Chailloux. With more focused attention from the team, these stony, well-exposed, low-yielding vineyards have thrived, revealing greater potential – and Laffond has started separating out parcels such as the distinctive Grange Murger.

The wines are fermented in a combination of stainless steel and oak, spending a year in barrel with up to 30% new wood, depending on the vintage and cuvée. Stylistically, the Chardonnay tends to have a sumptuous richness, without ever being heavy, full of spice and stony purity. Keep an eye on this Pouilly-Fuissé estate, which will doubtless continue its upward trajectory.