2011 Hidden Bench Estates Nuit Blanche
Mainly a Sem-Sauv blend, this has come quite a ways in development from my last note on it last January. Now it has undeniable flow and some mouthcoating aspect to it, with a more evolved floral, pear and quince aroma. Honey weaves through some aromatic replays along with an elderflower component. In a nice place.
2008 Bouchard Pere et Fils Meursault Genevrieres
I really, really wish I had bought 2 cases of this instead of 9 bottles. This is the third-last bottle, and the stuff just gets better and better. Audouzed for 2 hours, still has tremendous nose of slate, crisp apple, lemon, light toast and very light sweet almond. Palate is superb, Bosc Pear and a touch of lime gets added, small dose of noisette and it’s all even more harmonious than previous tries, yet still with plenty of power. One of the great values for me in the last 10 years or so, I picked these up at $65 per. Canadian. Oh, to go back and sweep the rest off the shelves.
2009 Kutch Falstaff Vineyard Pinot Noir
Popped and poured, but let it sit in the glass for a good portion of the evening. This was the one everyone drained, but I’ll admit that, at least at this point, it showed with a certain rusticity and, if not burliness, it growled a little bit. Very focused raspberry and unripe cherry scents and flavours are buttressed by clean but strong acidity at this point. My assessment is that this is simply still on the young side, with more development to come, there remains plenty of materiel.
2000 Chateau Sociando Mallet
I had done my homework so I got this ready----4 hours’ audouzing, 3 hours in the decanter and then double-decanted back. With that treatment, the wine was ready to show and go. Fine cedar, blackcurrant and light anise notes enter the schnozz. In the mouth, this shows great structure but with that treatment has softened just enough to let the cassis, tobacco and black plum shine through and play around with the tenderloins in tamarind and demerara sugar which I had prepared. Plenty of spine and carry promises at least 15 more years of life. Be careful if you pop and pour at this point.
2007 De Bortoli Noble One Semillon
The botrytis sometimes-Sauternes-taste-alike, this example had edges of cloves around plenty of apricot, honey, vanilla and peach. It is a good example which is in its drinking window. No one will mistake it for a Sauternes, as it lacks that extra gear of sophistication, but it was yummy and had enough flavour and interest to make for a rewarding sip.
Kwa Heri,
Mike