Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph L’Amarybelle 2012
I would love to revisit this after its had another decade to develop, the 2012 Yves Cuilleron L’Amarybelle is classic Saint-Joseph with complex layers that unfurl at a leisurely pace, revealing notes of blackberries, balsamic, damp tilth, incense, bay leaf, pink peppercorn, and violets. On entry, the initial impression is one of silkiness—a bit deceiving, […]
Tarlant Champagne Cuvée Louis Brut Prestige NV
Tarlant’s Cuvée Louis Brut Prestige is a blend of four vintages, 85% from 1999 and the balance from 1998-1996. From the famed chalky “Les Crayons” vineyard, it is an elegant blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir. Beautifully, concentrated aromatics of brioche, dried apple, tangerine, white flowers and spice. Fantastic purity, depth and focus, […]
Lilbert-Fils Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru Cramant 2004
This lovely 2004 Grand Cru Grower Champagne from Lilbert-Fils. The site is only 3.5 hectares, so, on the petite side, though that is certainly not the case in terms of what this bubbly delivers. Wonderful nose that reminds me of fresh, toasted raisin bread slathered in butter along with citrusy, minerally notes. Piercing acidity on […]
#WBC15 and Alsatian Riesling’s Delicious Diversity
There is something about attending one’s first Wine Blogger’s Conference, aside from the instant camaraderie—that irreplaceable sense that you are in a room full of people who get what it is that you are doing, or attempting to do on a very deep level—in addition, there are a multitude of sessions for attendees to choose from. […]
Schoenheitz Vin D’ Alsace Herrenreben Riesling 2010
With lilting notes of lychee, wet stones, ginger and white flowers, the 2010 Schoenheitz Vin D’ Alsace Herrenreben Riesling offers excellent value for money. It’s medium-bodied and bright, expressive and markedly fresh, and the finish is mouthwatering and quite long, tinged with lemon zest and oyster shell. This graceful Riesling has a long life ahead […]
Zind-Humbrecht Vin D’Alsace Riesling 2013
Zind-Humbrecht has been producing wine since the 15th century, no surprise, they’ve perfected the art of coaxing the best out of Alsatian Riesling. Pale straw and limpid, with delicate notes of pink grapefruit, white flowers and wet gravel and a faint, ascending note of kerosene. It’s medium-bodied and rounder than one might expect, nevertheless, the […]
Barmès Buecher Rosenberg Riesling 2012
Barmès Buecher practicies biodynamic farming, and this fine example, the 2012 Rosenberg Riesling was grown in deep clay-limestone soils. The result is a wine that is full and rich in its comportment, with expansive tropical notes: papaya, cling peaches, and spice. And as the nose suggests, it’s quite viscous and slightly oily in the mouth, […]
Domaine Giraud Prémices Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011
Oh my. The nose on Domaine Giraud’s Prémices Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011 is unapologetically lush and even downright sensual with layers of blackberry reduction sauce, smoky plums, mesquite, Tahitian vanilla bean, and anise. It’s equally immersive and voluptuous on the palate, layers of black fruit are beautifully delineated against a structure that suggests good aging potential, balanced […]
Saint-Damien Gigondas 2012
The 2012 Saint-Damien Gigondas is seduction in a glass. A walled-in garden of lilacs and lavender, huckleberries, dried mint and dusty earth that offers both concentration and finesse. There is ample structure here, amid velvet layers of ripe plum, subtle gaminess, iron and ox blood and a lovely black pepper note on the finish. Accessible […]
Le Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras 2012
Le Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras has long been a favorite of mine. The 2012, however, is admittedly too young (a condition complicated by my lack of a wine cellar where I’m currently staying). On the upside, delicate floral notes of lilac and violets lend a softening note to an otherwise masculine wine. There are, too […]