Organized a tasting for a friends birthday.
Also for fun, can you guess where I’m located??
The lineup was
2016 Pierre Gimmonet ‘Flueron’ – an incredible grower champagne available only in magnum. Stunning autolytic character balanced with an aggressive but delicate minerality. Still very youthful
2022 Estate Argyros Assyrtiko – my go to for a consistent high acid crowd pleaser white wine. Volcanic soil mixed with waxy lemony goodness. DRINK MORE GREEK WINE
1987 Krueznacher Riesling- a random one I had in my cellar. 8.5 ABV and good acid to counter the sweetness. Was fun to drink next to the GG
2023 Donhoff Riesling ‘Felsenberg’ GG – a perfect wine. I really don’t know what else to say. The balance of power and softness was something to behold. Peach, citrus and stones that lasts forever. I can only imagine what this was taste like in 10 years….
2019 Sadie Family ‘Skerpioen’ Chenin Blanc – ok what a trip out of Swartland! A field blend of Palomino and Chenin Blanc done in a dry style. TBH I tried it and thought, I need another bottle and an hour of silence to break this one down… so I guess that’s a good thing…
2022 Duhart Milton Blanc – I have been on a Bordeaux Blanc kick lately and this wine is why. You cannot touch the waxey mouth feel of semillon with the punchy Sauvignon blanc. Oak is apparent but balances and integrated.
2023 Catena ‘White Bones’ Chardonnay – OK WTF. Never had anything like this. Went and bought another bottle immediately because I need to revisit this in a dark room with a clear mind and palate. Smells like York peppermint patty somehow and hit with such high acid. The finish lasts an eternity and I feel like I could spend a day rattling off different notes. One of the most complex wines I’ve ever had.
2021 Burn Cottage ‘Sauvage Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- My first time trying this producer and it was a very very good juicy peppery balanced Pinot noir.
2023 Lapierre ‘N’ Morgon Beaujolais – my friends and I have been extremely horny for gamay lately and this wine is why.
2018 Conterno Bussia Barolo- Threw in a Barolo selfishly because I like Barolo and for a 2018 this wine is very ready to drink. Not as powerful as the 19s but heavy with rose and tobacco
2021 Bernard Baudry Chinon Cab Franc- bell pepper (green pepper) explosion. Bone dry and delicious. Needs food for sure but an awesome Expression of loire CF
2012 Lopez y Heredia Vina Tondonia Rioja- I mean do I really need to say anything here…
2020 Troplong Mondot St Emilion – decanted for 5 hours hopeful it wouldn’t be too young and alas it still was. Insane
Potential but needs another 7-10 years minimum!2019 Guigal Chateau D’ampuis Cote Rotie – the nose on this is just absurd. Like a waffle dipped in bacon fat yet fruity and deep on the palate with pepper and beef jerky streaks. Quintessential Cotes Rotie
1998 Chateau Rieussec Sauternes – a delicious Sauternes to end the night. A little oxidized but in a good way. Honey almond marzipan and peaches with that trademark botrytis medicinal background. Fantastic
To me, the wines of the night were the Donhoff Riesling and the White Bones Chardonnay. Also there was 18 of us so we were absolutely trashed don’t worry lol.
by edbtz1950
6 Comments
Pierre Gimonnet!! Love that producer!
What a lineup! Need to try the White Bones
Dönnhoff Rieslings are absolutely superb! You are a good friend to have!
Just had the 2015 Pierre Gimmonet a few days ago but 750ml. . It was like sitting in a French bakery. Buttered croissants. Lemon peels. Toasted brioche. So damn good! Highly recommended.
Beautiful lineup! Cab Franc and Chinon are some of my favorites, but I was disappointed by the level of Brett on the bottle of Baudry the I had earlier this year
Hell yes, I love Fleuron, got a 2014 in my cellar!