2019, Domaine du Pélican, SAVAGNIN, 'Ouillé-Grand Curoulet'

Grand Curoulet is a terroir that is most suitable for Savagnin. The soil is made of grey marls (about half the parcel) and multicoloured marls (green and wine-red) from the Trias geological period – the oldest and highest quality marls. Domaine du Pélican purchased this Grand Curoulet parcel in 2012.

More of a white flower note here than exotic fruit than the Ouille, a touch subtler and finer aromatically. The palate is sheer joy - a burst of flavour but unforced and presented with real charm - lime leaf , verbena, white tea, sicilian lemon and a faint but very enjoyable hint of lychee are all woven together by a fresh, fine thread of acidity. The flavours crescendo to a long echoing finish seasoned with really fine ground salt notes. Such a panoply of flavours delivered with incredible panache. Fabulous.  (J&B).

Less immediate fruit impact than from the straight Savagnin Ouillé, more mineral and restrained, some stone dust, but you can sense the underlying power of the fruit. It’s herbal to begin but underneath that is some riper fruit – citrus and even lychee – notes, a little smoky too. It’s the stony mineral side that gets stronger as the wine opens. And then there’s a burst of fruit power and intensity on the palate with a lovely grainy tension and mouth-watering depths. Fabulous power and length and yet still so refined. (JH)