Valette harvested his 1995 Pouilly-Vinzelles Vieilles Vignes at such high levels of ripeness that he was unable to make a dry wine. Its botrytis scents and flavors (50% of the grapes were affected by noble rot) are more reminiscent of an Alsatian Vendanges Tardive than a wine from the Maconnais. Sweet aromas of Earl Grey tea are followed by a gorgeously balanced (the acidity is so high that it compensates for the 20 grams of residual sugar), hugely concentrated, and full-bodied character packed with crisp mangoes, flint, and chalk. Readers who enjoy powerful and pungent ripe cheeses (Epoisses, Munster, etc.) will find this wine to be a great accompaniment.Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils, Fran Kysela, Winchester, VA; tel (540) 722-9228.