TN: Puffeney, Baudry, Montelena

Had some fascinating wines over the past few days. I’m excited to see what the Baudry La Croix Boissée turns into over time, it’s an impressive youngster.

  • 2009 Jacques Puffeney Arbois Cuvée Sacha - France, Jura, Arbois (1/18/2012)
    Drank over the course of 6 hours. It took some air to really coax the aromas to life, but it eventually had a waxy nose of lemons and orchard fruit with exotic roasted nuts. The palate was smooth with dense, warm citrus white florals, subtle butterscotch and crushed rocks. Towards the finish there was this intriguing mushroom earthiness that was layered, complex and fascinating. In the future, I will be more judicious with my decanting…by hour six the wine was far better than when I first poured it.
  • 1990 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (1/17/2012)
    Cork was soaked through, but the wine was in great shape. Had a really nice dusty red fruit profile on the nose with subtle spices, and forestal tones. The palate was elegant and lithe with silky red fruit, subtle dried tobacco, some cedar and beautiful florals. Very nice!
  • 2006 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissée - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon (1/16/2012)
    Drank this over the course of two nights. On the first night this had wonderful aromas of red fruit, a combination of pine and undergrowth tones (let’s call it “forest spice”), and some cedar. The tannis were a bit gritty at first, but by the end of day 2 this was really singing. Silky mouthfeel, beautiful florals, and layers of forest spice with subtle tobacco compose this complex wine. Great stuff.

Posted from CellarTracker

Good stuff. I take it the Baudry is from the lot we bid on?

Have been keen on checking into one of those bottles soon, useful to know I should open it a while in advance.

yep, the baudry was from that lot and it certainly benefited from a good dose of air.

Have you learned your lesson and started buying a case on release?

BTW, the 2009 Clos Guillot is the best yet. First vintage that I’m buying for the cellar.

Yes, bought the 09s in enough quantity to drink some young and keep holding. Thanks for the tip on the Guillot.

Thanks for the notes on some really interesting wines.

Yeah! Nice notes Matt. So this Puffeney had less paint stripping scents which I now believe is VA? Anyone else weigh in on VA in Jura whites? I think it is a style thing and definitely because of long tank aging and lack of SO2. Not a complaint just an observation. I consider VA in Jura whites like subtle brett in “rustic” red wines (read Loire Cab Franc), a naturally occurring flavor that can either add or detract from the wine!