1997 Pouilly Fuisse Clos de la Roche

Domaine Guffens-Heynen's Pouilly-Fuisse La Roche is unbelievably great! Readers who have yet to taste a wine from the Maconnais that can compete with the finest grand crus of the Cote de Beaune should experience this masterpiece. Its deeply ripe nose offers liquid mineral, rock, gravel, and almond paste aromas. It possesses a spiritual quality (the French say aerien) that can sometimes be found in the finest Chevalier-Montrachets and Montrachets. It has magnificent focus, bold and deep flint and white fruit flavors, impeccable balance, and intense concentration. This medium-to-full-bodied, oily-textured (yet bright and vivacious) offering also has a mind-bogglingly long, crisp, and pure finish. Wow! Anticipated maturity: 2001-2008+. A Peter Vezan Selection (Paris Fax # 011-33-1-42-65-42-93), importers include: North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel (510) 848-8910, and a Patrick Lesec Selection (Paris Fax # 011-33-1-44-70-62-93).|| Wine Advocate.February, 1999