Wine impressions 5-9-25
2019 Vincent, Pinot Noir Armstrong Vineyard - evolving slowly but consistently; tea, rocks, red stone fruit, powder-fine tannins and excellent balance. Over the years there’s more complexity without sacrificing integration. And it stays true to its Ribbon Ridge pedigree.
12.9% abv.
Very fine.
2023 Pepiere, Muscadet Briords - reliably delicious vintage after vintage and year after year in the cellar. Always bright, energetic, fresh, layered and precise. As good a Muscadet as I’ve found.
Fine.
2019 Vincent, Chardonnay Royer Vnyd. - suave, clean, has character but the new French oak, while not overwhelming, just isn’t for me. The equal of many a Puligny but even suave wood isn’t my thing. Good wine if you like the style.
2015 Cowan Cellars, Syrah Bennett Valley - thinner than I remember it on past occasions, light-weight, good fruit, not much development in ten years but a pleasant drink and not “industrial.”
2023 Marc Dupas, Pinot Noir Les Parcelles - shows young and unintegrated at first but comes together nicely with an hour of air. Simple vin de France but a significant step above its designation with both structure and moderate complexity. And at $10, a steal.
2023 Marc Dupas, Chardonnay Les Parcelles - ditto above.
Both wines available at Total Wine.
2023 Cortese, Catarratto Lucida - needs food and with it becomes more intricate than alone. Bright Sicilian white with a bite.
2022 Dominique Gruhier, Epineuil Cuvée Juliette - beginning to close down but still showing what Burgundy can be, even off the Côte. The textures, density without weight and finish are excellent. Needs time.
2022 Stephane Rousset, Crozes-Hermitage Les Picaudieres - a very odd nose - aquarium comes to mind - not off putting but nothing I expected; medium weight Syrah true to its place and with the structure to age. But that nose . . .
2022 Inama, Foscarino - I have been a Pieropan, Calvarino fan a very long time but, after several bottles of this Soave, I may change horses. Such precision, tension, flesh, vibrancy and nuance; I’m in awe. No doubt this will age but probably not at my house.
Fine.
2022 Dom. Belliviere, Rouge-Gorge - Pineau d’Aunis doesn’t get better. Showing very young and in need of 5-8 years minimum, this impresses as much as any young wine I’ve had in years. Starts off like Cru Beaujolais but with more phenolics and concentration. After several hours, its delivery is so multi-faceted and precise as to be hard to describe; dimensional, energetic, constantly changing, deep, structured, delicious - with cellar time, this may be a life list wine.
Very fine , indeed.
Best, Jim