Newly Crowned 1er Cru in a Stellar Vintage
‘2022 is shaping up to be one of the great modern white Burgundy vintages—combining the purity and finesse of the classic years with the ripeness and accessibility of recent warm seasons. It delivers expressive fruit, exceptional concentration, and stunning balance, making it a year where the very best terroirs truly shine.
Pouilly-Fuissé has recently become one of the most exciting and dynamic regions in Burgundy. Long overlooked in favor of the Côte d’Or, it is now home to an explosion of quality, investment, and recognition. The biggest milestone came recently, when the INAO awarded 1er Cru status for the first time in the region’s history—a monumental upgrade that acknowledges the appellation’s finest terroirs. Only a small handful of vineyards were elevated, making these new Premier Crus some of Burgundy’s most compelling insider buys.
One of those privileged sites is ‘La Frérie,’ and one of the estates leading this new era is Domaine Auvigue. A historic family domaine with deep roots in the Mâconnais, Auvigue has farmed these slopes for generations, long before the spotlight arrived. Their focus has always been on traditional farming and expressing the unique limestone-driven terroir that defines great Pouilly-Fuissé. Now, with the elevation of La Frérie to 1er Cru status, the quality they’ve championed for decades is finally being recognized on the world stage.
The 2022 Auvigue Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru ‘La Frérie’ is a brilliant expression of this moment in time. It is elegant yet powerful, layered yet incredibly pure. The palate shows ripe orchard fruit, lifted minerality, and the kind of length and texture you typically expect from far more expensive Côte de Beaune wines. It is delicious right now thanks to the generous nature of the vintage, but make no mistake—this wine has the structure and pedigree to age beautifully.
With the combination of an exceptional vintage, a newly crowned Premier Cru vineyard, and a historic domaine hitting its stride, this is the kind of bottle that captures Burgundy in motion—a region evolving, rising, and redefining value at the highest level.
92 Points, Decanter
Ripe nectarine and melon notes here are enlivened by a mineral/saline freshness. Generous, with some pleasing oak bitterness.