Been behind on posting, apologies
2016 Chateau Rouget
I decanted for about an hour. It’s still Bordeaux, with some pain grille interweaving with loaded plum and blackberry. Plum jam and touches of blueberry on the palate, blind I’d probably be in California with a ripe-oriented producer. It shows plush, rich and big. Not my preferred style and I enjoyed this more at a younger age, but no denying it had a love affair with the steak.
2017 Meo Camuzet Bourgogne Blanc Clos St. Philibert
This is such a tremendous value wine. Completely in proportion with apple, pear, mineral and dash of lime all flowing across the nose and through the mouth. It’s refreshing yet demure and classy at the same time. So wish I had more of this.
2014 Chateau Suduiraut
From half—orange blossom and very light peach aromatics. Orange, apricot and vanilla all hold court dans la bouche, and the botrytis has been completely integrated. I’m glad I have 2 more of my own of these, it’s showing extremely well right now, no need to wait but has plenty of life left. Proves out that 2014 is one of the good even-numbered vintages for Sauternes
2016 Louis Jadot Beaune Les Chouacheux
Slow-oxed for about 90 minutes. Earthy raspberry scents are joined by some cranberry and possibly even iron when tasting. It’s correct-ish but not particularly exciting—it remains abrupt without any finish to speak of and somewhat foursquare and angular. I have one more of these and I’ll leave it a few years to see if there’s any development
2001 Mugneret-Gibourg Echezeaux
My friend Bruce was legion to open this for a dinner party. The love starts with the look, a gorgeous translucent light garnet. The small touch of violets and whispers of all sorts of berry fruit. It—um—tastes like Burgundy when you put it in your mouth. Amazing freshness (this was basically pop-and-pour), the balance and elegance—especially the long but subtle finish where the barest hint of baking spices shows up—is so alluring. The sisters are so good at this (grin). This wine made me happy, and does 2 other things. It takes me to the cellar door. And it reminds me of one of the Degas Dancer paintings. Glorylicious.
2020 Marc Colin St. Aubin 1er Cru Luce
Fine stuff here for sure. Lemoncurd edgeing to apple core base and plenty of driving minerality and freshwater stone, both on aroma and on the palate. There’s a beguiling subtle strength and tension to the wine and it kept me sipping at it all night. Very, very good.
2023 Mason Vineyards The Matriarch Pinot Noir
Kelly has become my favourite winemaker in Ontario. This still has some years to go, but the purity of raspberry and strawberry fruit along with a very neat game sidebar make this stand out for me. Plenty of freshening acidity to carry it all along.
2010 Remoissenet Beaune Marconnets
What a pretty thing this is. Sniffs of raspberry, cranberry and dusting of florals. Right on the mark maturity-wise, this doesn’t have a ton of depth or layers but does have the wonderful purity that I want in the 2010s that I have enjoyed. Crabapple joins the aromatic replays and there’s a lacing of rhubarb here as well. Just an uncomplicated but nevertheless very attractive drink.
2011 Francois Cotat Chavignol Rose
Deep thanks to my friend Jay for bringing this, I’ve never had one anywhere close to this old. Watermelon seed is the first thing that comes to mind, but it coruscates through a blur of strawberry and into a kinetic, rhubarby, slightly bitter (in a good way) finish. Having said that, what I learn from this is that I comprehensively enjoy drinking these younger, so this was a valuable data point for me. No lack of intellectual interest for sure, and we discussed this plenty, but the younger ones have had touches to my soul.
2008 Thienot Cuvee Alain Thienot
Never had anything by this producer, so I decided to open this with Jay and Mark at a dinner. This has slightly rounded bubbles and expresses as “ready and very tasty”. Apple—leaning towards golden delicious (without being over-sweet) takes the main stage with a tiny bit of ginger as an accent. Flows down easily though not a long finish. Enjoyed by all.
2018 Louis Michel Chablis Montee de Tonnere
Mark brought this along, I don’t think I’ve tried a 2018 from Michel. There is the signature understated elegance here in presentation, just hints of chalk and seashell in the sniffer. Palate revolves around unripe apple and some lime notes with a shake of minerality. This is Chablis, but does lack some “special”, sort of straightforwardly presenting itself. Which isn’t bad by any means.
