Tasted with Caroline Bouvier in Vinzelles, 06 February 2023.
Domaine de la Soufrandière
125 Rue aux Bourgeois
71680 Vinzelles
Tel: +33 3 85 35 67 72
www.bretbrothers.com
More reports on La Soufrandière
Caroline on 2021 vs 2022:
From the 2021 vintage, there’s not a lot of volume, but fortunately, 2022 brought us much more. The 2022s were harder to ferment as the weather was hot at the end of the year – unlike the 2021s which were, by comparison, very easy with more classic levels of maturity and acidity. All the 2021s are now bottled – the long elevage cuvées were done just in the last 2 weeks. Trescasses cork for all.”
The wines…
I mainly came to taste their Beaujolais – but their whites stole the show on this day – a whole bunch of great 2021s…
Soufrandière is domaine, ‘Bret’ are their Maison wines – there are almost 12 hectares of vines in the domaine and they buy the equivalent of another 8 hectares for the ‘Bret Brothers’ label:
A small reduction quickly gives way to a more considered and focused ripe citrus. Juicy wine – mouth-filling too. Easing with delicious flavour energy. Just way too delicious – this bottle will be drained before you know it – bravo! This bottle showing even better than the one I tasted in November!
2021 Bret Brothers, Pouilly-Fuissé Terres de Vergisson
Narrower but still with some vibrancy. Differently shaped – still energetic but there’s more density to this core of flavour – a different style of finish too – more direct, subtly intense and mouth-watering. I’d wait a few months more before drinking this one.
All Domaine Soufrandière:
2021 Aligoté, Arigato Zen
No sulfur during the vinification but a little for the bottling. Vines at the foot of Vergisson on the rock surrounded by St.Veran – 35 year-old vines on the hillside.
The nose is relatively tight today – the palate shows a small bead of gas but then the flavour grows wider and wider, more intense – I love this cushioned acidity – so long. A beauty.
North-facing vines in Prissö but not frosted – the south-facing part had 80% losses as it was more advanced in growth.. 80% tank, 20% barrel elevage.
A nice intensity – tough not large-scaled. In the mouth, clean, energetic, wiry shape and impressive complexity. Bravo!
Also in Prissé but this is east facing – extra 6 month of elevage in tank for this ‘long elevage’ wine.
A broader nose, slightly softer and more floral – the yellow citrus also more visible. Extra gas – but what clarity and energy to this flavour – super energy – broad and just so moreish – fabulous finishing… Bravo
4 ha in Les Quarts and half of that goes to make this wine, the oldest vines go into the cuvée Les Quarts. One-third barrel elevage
Super depth and dimension of aroma again – such an invitation! Full, energetic – a mouthful of fun here – melting, growing juicy. Another great wine.
2021 Pouilly-Fuissé Vignerais
Near Vergisson, under the rock – another long elevage wine that finishes with 6 months in tanks.
Airy, less forward but still aromas of engaging purity. Gas again, then a mineral breadth of flavour. Gorgeously intense finishing – off-sweet – just another simply excellent wine!
Another parces in Prissé – near Combe de la Roche with a north-facing view – long elevage again.
More forward – fresh and pure – there’s energy in this nose! Gas again – but clean – and mineral – these are just so good – I can’t taste the wood elevage – and there’s no extra generosity – yes pure, top wine! Bravo again.
2021 Pouilly-Fuissé Les Longeays
South-East facing vines – over 70 years-old vines
Here more concentration and ripeness of citrus, not quite exotic but more in this direction. Yet the palate remains clean, direct and intense – just far too drinkable. Broad and intense as the last notes only slowly start to fade – what another excellent wine!
Les Beaujolais
All their contracts are for organic fruit. Their approach is whole clusters in cement tanks, no remontage, no pigeage:
2021 Bret Bros, Fleurie Poncié
A bit of reduction so lots of depth to the starting aromas – the reduction fades but the pungent depth of fruit is persistent. Like the whites, a little gas but then there’s a more direct, cool, shape to these flavours. The last impression is of some chalky texture – but very modest.
2021 Bret Bros, Saint Amour Côte de Bessey
Very airy to match the modest colour – lots of finesse here – not concentration. Easy and open, a wine of modest intensity but far from modest tastiness – that’s another vin dangereaux – you may drink it far too quickly!
2021 Bret Bros, Beaujolais Lantgnié
The Brets are also members of the Lantignié ‘collective’.
A little more colour. A modest reduction to start this one but a wine that opens and cleans very quickly – with darker-red fruit. Mouth-filling and juicy – a good clean intensity of flavour again – not a wine of generosity or concentration, just juicy, delicious flavour.