Pascal Jolivet : Les Terres Blanches 2023

Tasting notes and characteristics of Pascal Jolivet's "Terres Blanches" 2023

Tasting

Appearance
A luminous pale yellow hue, enhanced by delicate golden reflections.

Nose
Marked by freshness, the aromatic bouquet reveals notes of white-fleshed fruits such as green apple and pear. It then opens up with subtle floral touches accompanied by a distinctive minerality reminiscent of gunflint.

Palate
The palate stands out for its liveliness and aromatic tension. The well-balanced acidity brings a crystalline freshness, supporting a velvety texture. The persistent and elegant finish lingers on citrus aromas and a delicate smoky note.

Food and wine pairings

This white wine pairs ideally with a seafood platter, oysters or scallops. It also accompanies grilled fish, roast poultry and goat cheeses such as Crottin de Chavignol beautifully. For bolder pairings, it marries very well with asparagus risotto or grilled octopus.

Serving and cellaring

To fully appreciate this 2023 vintage, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. This wine can be enjoyed now, but it will continue to develop its complexity until around 2034.

The mineral expression of a great white wine from the Loire Valley

The estate

Founded in 1987 by Pascal Jolivet, the eponymous estate has established itself as an essential reference in the Loire. Initially a négociant, the founder developed a precise style before acquiring his own vineyards. Today, the estate extends over approximately 145 hectares, a large part of which is certified organic. Still led by its creator, supported by vineyard manager Benoit Dauny and oenologist Valentina Buoso, the estate stands out for its approach combining temperature control and natural vinification.

The vineyard

The grapes used for this cuvée come from specific plots within the Pouilly-Fumé appellation. South-facing, these vines thrive on a unique terroir composed of 100% clay-limestone soils. These lands are particularly rich in Kimmeridgian marls containing oyster fossils, a geological feature that gives the wine its mineral identity. The vineyard is managed with respect for the environment, without the use of chemical pesticides or herbicides.

Winemaking and aging

After hand-harvesting and meticulous berry-by-berry sorting, vinification is carried out by gravity. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for ten to fifteen days, exclusively driven by indigenous yeasts. The wine then benefits from aging on fine lees for eight to ten months in those same tanks, without any fining or filtration, in order to preserve all of its aromatic richness.

Grape variety

Sauvignon Blanc (100%).