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. — 9 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. — 9 years ago
Höpler
Guttenberg Grüner Veltliner 2006
Bram had this 9 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. — 9 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! — 9 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. — 9 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