Impressions 10-3-21

Impressions 10-3-21

N/V Agrapart, Champagne Terroirs Extra Brut - blanc de blanc, quite dry, almost steely and delicious.

2017 Falkenstein, Niedermenneger Herrenberg Riesling Spatlese feinherb - good volume and cut in the mouth, a kiss of sweetness, with lovely florals playing around its edges. Charming.

2008 Mugneret-Gibourg, Nuits-Saint-Georges les Chaignots - resolved, integrated, complex and light on its feet. Really, really good.

2018 Vincent, Pinot Noir Armstrong Vineyard - richer and more fruit driven than the last bottle and showing young. Needs time but it’s not closed at all.

2016 Prudhon, Saint-Aubin les Perrieres - beautiful nose of flowers and stones, light and easy drinking, crisp and clean. Pretty wine.

2019 Clos Cibonne, Tibouron cuvée Tradition - Rose done sous voile from Provence that is very lightly colored but has all the flavor one could ask. A complete wine.

N/V Alexandre Filaine, Champagne Brut Speciale - more volume and texture than the Agrapart mentioned above but still crisp with a mineral backbone and good length. Very nice.

2015 Colombera and Garella, Bramaterra - an earthy, slightly rustic Nebbiolo blend with a worsted wool texture, excellent intensity and length. Mouth-wateringly good.

2015 Dom du Collier, Saumur Blanc - killer nose with all sorts of nuance and chenin range, bright, clear and refreshingly tasty. Maybe a little lighter weight than expected but so easy to drink.

2010 Flavio Roddolo, Barbera d’Alba - not a grape I pay much attention to but this bottle was an eye opener. Perfect balance, concentrated fruit and an almost elegant delivery. Superb.

2013 Cowan Cellars, Pinot Noir Anderson Valley - in the fermenter I thought this would be a great wine. It was so pure. In the bottle it has always been tight; too tight to get a read on or really enjoy. Today, it has opened just enough to become an infant; baby fat sweet fruit, not quite integrated, evident concentration and still firm. Developing a velvety texture but it needs time.

2012 Cowan Cellars, Pinot Noir Anderson Valley - much more open than the ‘13 but still showing a firm core. Drinking now but no rush.

Best, jim

4 Likes

Love these roundups, thanks Jim

Nice to see your Barbera comment, Jim. Some Barbera that I have tasted have been acid-dominated and/or thin but when it’s on it can be both tasty AND impressive (e.g. a recent 2016 Paitin Barbera d’Alba “Serra”). Balance is key, isn’t it.

Yes.
And for the good ones, maybe a few years.
Best, jim