Bernard Fouquet surmounted the challenges of the 2007 vintage, so that his 2007 Vouvray Cuvee Silex is fit to be shown alongside the extraordinary 2005 (reviewed in issue 172). This barely off-dry Vouvray displays musky, bitter-sweet, narcissus-like floral notes, along with fresh quince, and a whiff of mothball. Refreshingly bright, saline, chalky, and with a zesty bitterness, it lacks the clarity and billowing palate presence of the best vintages of this cuvee, but displays outstanding length. I would enjoy it over the next 2-3 years. This 2007, incidentally, is closed with Stelvin screw-caps Importer: Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800