2008 Domaine A. Cailbourdin Pouilly-Fumé Les Cris

JancisRobinson.com

• By Tamlyn Currin
  3/16/2010, (See more on JancisRobinson.com...)

  (Alain Cailbourdin, Les Cris Pouilly-Fumé White) Subscribe to see review text.

• By Josh Raynolds
  March/April 2010, IWC Issue #149, (See more on Vinous...)

  (Domaine A. Cailbourdin Pouilly Fume Les Cris) Login and sign up and see review text.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  4/16/2010, (See more on Garagiste...)

  (CAILBOURDIN Pouilly-Fume LES CRIS) Fume Dear Friends, Here's a rather stunning wine for the tariff and it's from one of Pouilly Fume's relatively unknown stars (not for long). If you are looking for value at the top (artisanal) tier, this wine has few competitors. Another young gun intent on reshaping the hierarchy in the Loire, Alain Cailbourdin has announced his candidacy for the top prize in the region with three very strong 2008's. While all three are worth your investigation, the "Les Cris" is Cailbourdin's finest wine and it is a lovely creature indeed. Honest and true, this Sauvignon Blanc tastes like pulverized sea shells mixed with piquant and precise white fruit that has been delicately pressed into a naturally vinified concoction. It is powerful and elegant in the same sip with an obvious sense of breed that few can match in this genre. After tasting over 150 wines from the region (including 2009's), this may be the top bargain in Sancerre or Pouilly-Fume. Enough Said. From Cailbourdin: "Among the best exposed slopes of the appellation, Les Cris, face the south-west and overlook the Loire. The Barrois limestone from the Portlandian Period, described under the CuvÄe de Boisfleury, is also found here, however, here it is not covered on the surface by the siliceous alluviae. These are probably the most propitious terroirs in the world for Sauvignon Blanc cultivation. The Les Cris is a true thoroughbred and the most characteristic of our wines. Cris is the local term used to describe a parcel of vines planted in caillotes or pebbly limestone soil. Extraordinarily elegant, when young this wine possesses aromas of fruits (pineapple, citrus, peach) and mineral tones. After 1 or 2 years the aromas refine and become more and more marked by the minerality of the terroir. On the palate, Les Cris is powerful, well-structured and very rich. Excellent balance is achieved due to the perfect ripeness of the grapes at harvest. Les Cris Pouilly-FumÄ is at its best served with fish, especially fish in sauce (monkfish, pickerel, pike, etc.). Its also a fine accompaniment to an assortment of cured meats, and of course a natural companion with fine goat cheese." This wine is an outstanding choice for this summer but it will be at its best in the summer of 2011 and through 2013. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for lovely and powerful detail, terroir and palate cleansing sense of harmony that will unfold over the next 3-5 years (not to mention world-beating value for the quality). This parcel is directly from the winery cellar with impeccable provenance: 2008 Domaine A. Cailbourdin Pouilly-Fume "Les Cris" Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Loire6933