Roger Lassarat - The Master of the Maconnais
What if everyone in the Maconnais made wine to the exacting standards of Roger Lassarat? There's a good chance it would flip the entire Burgundy hierarchy upside down. For nearly a half century, Lassarat has consistently delivered wines of unequaled flavor and complexity from what is often (and incorrectly I might add) considered a simple region of Burgundy. If you want to experience one of the most pure, terroir-driven Chardonnays on the market, Roger Lassarat's Pouilly-Fuisse should be at the top of your list.
There's no real secret to Roger's success. At the end of the day, he just works harder than everyone else and commits himself to making the very best wine possible. Then again, it doesn't hurt that he's carefully acquired 16 pristine hectares of vineyards over the course of his 40 year career. Many of his vines have celebrated a 100th birthday and are still thriving. Throughout his career, he has relied on a simple, non-interventionist style of wine making. Low yields, natural yeast fermentation, and not filtering his wines are a few things to expect from every Lassarat wine. Need I mention the fruit is always hand harvested and sorted? And now over the last decade, Roger has organically farmed his vineyards, taking his terroir-driven wines to an even higher level.
It should come as no surprise that his old-vine Pouilly-Fuisse has a depth and richness that would make many a Meursault producer scratch their head in disbelief. The minerality is equally profound and often at the level of a top Chablis. These decadent wines still manage to retain a freshness and finesse that makes them a pleasure to drink at any point in their lives. They are a reference point for what the very best Chardonnay can deliver.
Below are tasting notes on a couple of the Roger Lassarat wines we have carried. Needless to say, look forward to future brilliant releases from this incredible producer in the future!
2004 Roger Lassarat La Joie Pouilly-Fuisse
The wine's heavenly scents are reminiscent of the first blooms of spring with generous notes of lemon peel and white truffle. Poached pear and lemon curd flavors are explosively fresh while the pure, seductive nature of the wine comes through brilliantly in a finish of minerals and apple spice.
2006 Roger Lassarat La Joie Pouilly-Fuisse
Exotic aromas of pear skin, mushroom, and crushed rocks. The palate walks a perfect tightrope between its lush concentrated fruit and mineral complexity. Flavors of citrus peel, quince paste, and honeyed lavender lead to a fresh, focused finish with endless minerality and a touch of apple butter.
