Oliver Giroux, Pouilly-Loche, Clos Des Rocs Monopole

Aged 13 months in used barrels, this wine boasts bright acidity, fine minerality, and impressive concentration. Despite low sulfur levels, Olivier’s wines are approachable young but benefit from aging. The 2021 vintage offers aromas of pear, honey, fresh bread, nutmeg, and white flowers, with a medium to full-bodied, layered, and satiny palate framed by lively acids and a saline finish.

Olivier Giroux purchased Domaine du Clos des Rocs in 2002, an 8.8-hectare estate with over six hectares in the 32-hectare Pouilly-Loché appellation. Organic conversion began in 2006. The estate employs manual harvesting, lengthy pressing, and élevage in tank, demi-muid, and barrel, with minimal new oak. The wines are pure, limpid, and fleshy, balanced by vibrant acids, showcasing Olivier’s meticulous winemaking.