Domaine Léon Barral
Valinière Faugères Mourvedre Syrah 2009
Squid ink. Surprising salinity and a tiny bit of brett, but just enough to give it that medicinal glycerol quality. A huge contrast from the Burgundies earlier tonight. Sagey garrigue. Confected undertone is out of place on this palate, but not surprising given the age, but good with food. — 10 years ago
Clos Ste. Magdeleine
Cassis Blanc Marsanne Blend 2011
2011. Delightful sparkly minearlity over a layer of chalk, but just gritty enough not to pin down. Pure citrus, not melony, very clean fruit, but soil is complex. Just a little bit of merengue. Vibrant and supple. — 10 years ago
Höpler
Guttenberg Grüner Veltliner 2006
Bram had this 10 years ago
Clos Rougeard
Saumur Champigny Cabernet Franc 2008
Easily the most majestic Cabernet Franc I've ever tasted. Layers of cranberry, raspberry, and huckleberry with that heavenly rose-like perfume over the top. Soil and loam and stone. Ever so gently confected, but incredibly clean and immaculately balanced. I now know what all the fuss is about. — 10 years ago
Il Marroneto
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2001
Laser-like blue fruit. Like blueberry sherbet in intensity, but bottomless. Surrounded by smoke and brick. Just a little bit of something confected, like the baked blueberries on the edge of a cobbler. Outstanding with butter sautéed rib-eye. The depth really feels like a trap door has been pulled beneath you. This is what it's supposed to taste like! — 10 years ago
Nikolaihof
Hefeabzug Wachau Grüner Veltliner
2010 vintage. Focused beam of intense acidity. Powdery minerality. Nose is Riesling-like, white flowers and orange spritz. Lime and just a bit oily like orange spritz, but light, leaving a long tail acidic finish. Theise never lets me down. — 10 years ago
Bram Wessel
Honeysuckle nose. Melony, and tangy apple-pear flavors. Bracing granitic salinity, but so rich you think it's oaked. Mouthfeel like the last remnants of a saltwater taffy. Gets spicy and tropical in the finish. Delectable! — 9 years ago