Quick notes about two bottles from places I don’t normally frequent wine-wise, but surprised me on the upside. After the “slog” of Paulee, it’s fun to just drink for the heck of it and approach two wines with no preconceptions and let it rip. They are totally different in style but share similar characteristics: great extract, round mouthfeel, superb balance and some site-specific complexity/interest.
2024 Verget Poully-Fuisse Les Combes Vielles Vignes, Maconnais: Yellow color with orange blossom on the nose. Bright with piercing acidity. Full in mouth, with pear fruit and subtle smoky minerality. Definitely decant if you try this wine. It seemed kind of light on first pour put this put on significant weight as night progressed. The old vines shine through, which probably helped in a difficult vintage. I try not to buy into the Guffens hype but this is a compelling wine at their “intro” level. Great value in today’s market at $60. I’d much rather drink this than most Bourgogne Blanc.
More about the house style here:
2019 William & Mary Cabernet Sauvignon Shifflet Ranch, Napa Valley: Plummy nose with hint of earth and graphite. Super dark with black and crimson fruits. Lovely mouthfeel with easy texture and lots of deep, ripe fruit – blackberries and bitter cherry. Fine tannins where you feel some structure but the wine is just so velvety. No rough edges or oddball flavors at all – the bottle disappeared quickly. Perfect pairing for a cottage pie. If all Napa Cab tasted like this and drank so approachably, you might convert me. I liked that there was nothing oaky or brooding or plodding or polished or over-extracted – traits I often associate with more modern Napa Cabs. William&Mary will do! Well done @William_Segui
Photo courtesy: @Brian_Tuite
Editor’s note: Sorry for lack of first-hand photos. We had guests over and my wife has to draw the line somewhere!
