Quick notes. A few wines over the long weekend:
2007 Domaine Pepiere Clos Briords Muscadet Sevre et Maine
Mineral laden, subtle saline, bright, racy, long and perfect with fresh shucked oysters on T-day.
2006 Peay Chardonnay Estate Sonoma CoastRestrained oak, elegant, good acidity, controlled butter, moderately rich mouthfeel, easy finish.
2002 Domaine Michelot Meursault Le Limozin
Simply singing. Loaded with hazlenuts, walnuts, and lively acidity with tart ripe apples and pears. Lightly sulfurous. Great midpalate and length
2006 George Descombes Regnie VV
Smooth and surprisingly feminine with good acidity, integrated black cherry and briar fruit tinged with gamay sappiness and a fair pit of pinoter. Plenty of pleasure ahead.
2002 Arrowood Autumn Dolce
Subtle viognier spice. Quite sweet with just enough acidity to keep it from being cloying. Enjoyable but I’d prefer more raciness.
2001 Sequoia Grove Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Integrated oak, noteworthy balance, good acidity, controlled ripeness. The red/dark fruits are devoid of raisins/prunes. Rich texture, relaxed tannins, pleasing finish, no heat. Very enjoyable mid-level Cali Cab.
2005 Pierre Matrot Meursault Rouge
A study in minerality with rustic sappy fruit featuring black cherries mixed with blue fruit. Fine balance, good acidity. Not overly structured. Accessible, playful and quaffable.
Popped in to Wine Library on Saturday and thanks to Ian’s suggestion, found myself tasting:
2000 Vieux Chateau Certan, Pomerol
Cedar nose reveals earthy dark fruit. Very youthful with no bricking. The wine was previously decanted but it took several minutes in the glass for the structure to ease and facilitate the intense earthy ripe dark fruit. Enjoyable acidity and dusty tannins. The overall power currently hides some complexity. Sophisticated without being modern. Long finish. It needs 5 - 10 years but could be enjoyed now with a few more hours in the decanter.
Beaucastel Hommage A Jacques Perrin Chateauneuf Du Pape
I don’t remember the vintage but remember something about this being a RP love child. Scorched earth and leather. The roasted fruit nose was distracting yet there was something quite seductive and subtle about the red-fruit leaning midpalate. Ripe with touches of Kirsch. The roasted edges return on the finish. Fairly accessible, warm but not hot. Not my thing, but I suppose this could be a dream wine for CndP lovers.
RT