Conducting biodynamic practices in his vineyards, Stephane vinifies 2 cuvees without any sulfur. The 1st one is his Arbois Trousseau Singulier. The 2nd one is the Arbois Poulsard Sans Soufre. The Poulsard usually benefits from 3-4 years to fully develop. So when I got the chance to get the 2005 Poulsard Sans Soufre, I was relly excited to try it.
This Poulsard comes from different vineyards: Les Bruyères, La Vasée and La Mailloche (Clay soils). All have a South east and North West exposition. The oldest vines were planted in 1942 and the most recent were planted in 1972.
As for the vineyards, they are all in biodynamic agriculture, certified by Ecocert and verified by Demeter. The vineyards are worked without weedkillers, chemical fertilisers, or other synthetic products.To treat the vines sulfur, copper and plant concoctions are used. They make and use their own compost. The soil is worked manually.
Hand harvested in small baskets,the grapes are destemmed and macerated for 17 days in stainless steel tanks with little pumping over, then aged in foudres and demi muids for 12 months. Bottled without filtration and no added SO2.
This 2005 seemed to be at its peak. The nose was great, very Burgundy like, earthy with some funk and some violets and cherry. There's also some herbs and olives. Pretty similar on the palate, med body with rustic tannins. Long finish. Nicely balanced. All in all, a quite complex Poulsard, fresh and pure and very easy to finish the full bottle! After all, this is the destiny of great bottles of wine.
