Mixing 'Variety is the spice of life' with 'I'll try anything once' (Wine Director/Beverage manager of - My BIG mouth)
Takes a bit of time to open up (decant for an hour or two).
N - has that Nebbiolo tar character in spades but more dark cherry rather than rose petal aromatics. Black liquorice, charcoal, slightly decaying violets, black cherries in alcohol, fruit is dark in character and really quite stewed in a pleasing way as well as having some blackberry compote freshness too. There is some sort of synthetic quality though, but like printer ink.
P - Full but soft tannin, not as interesting as the nose, resting acidity balanced it nicely though there a lack of any real concentration. Again the fruit is dominated by dark berries Though there’s not much depth to it.
interesting to try given its kinship with Nebbiolo but needs a good pairing to shine . — 3 years ago
N - attractive notes of white flowers and buttered baguette, with plenty of air there are some light musky spices that come through such as tumeric that complement the charred lemon fruit along with some very subtle vanilla pod and lemon drizzle cake.
P - Richness of the vintage comes through with lemon frosting on the front end, freshens up on the mid palate and has a rich but chalky finish showing a touch oak tannin and even a touch of aniseed on the finish.
Would work well with a slip sole in beurre Blanc. — 3 years ago
Stunner of a Savagnin, nose evokes a lovely mix of toasted nuts, caramel, apple sauce, camomile, white & yellow flowers as well as an almond croissant richness.
Rich mouth feel with vibrant acidity and that walnut skin tannin after taste.
Young, vital with some rough edges that should smooth out with a bit of time in bottle.
(from a 0.31ha vineyard planted in ‘06 on limestone scree and blue/gray marks over limestone, 18 months in fine lees in used oak). — 2 years ago
Under stelvin so bit tight on opening but with some air it has a great nose full of red peppercorn, Smokey red cherry, rose hips and slightly musky spice.
Palate is a little more straight forward but has a lovely freshness and plenty of lively red fruit. Again that slightly smoky cherry, red current and cranberry, not especially long on the finish but there are some nice berry bitters and touch of spice. Good value for money. — 3 years ago
N - Ripe and creamy in style, lemon custard, lemon drizzle cake, lemon cream squeezed out of a sugared donut, it has a slight fried dough character to it that maybe hints at the warm vintage. There’s also that touch of lanolin and crushed chalk character and some warmer, hay and honey aromatics backed up by tarragon in a cream sauce.
P - initial attack is quite creamy and rounded but this really drys out through the mid palate and finish becoming more chalky and sapid. There’s some ripe lemon, lemon sherbet fruit, but the balance tips to a more mineral style, very chalky finish but nicely buffered with red apple fruit.
(Half bottle tasted, with minimal air) — 3 years ago
Very old vine Grenache Blanc that’s purposefully oxidised (barrels sent topped up, not sure if there’s any flor). This is one for lovers of Vin Jaune but at a fraction of the price. Orange zest, marmalade, lots of dried stone fruit with a lovely saline, umami thing going on. Burnt butter, toasted nuts, this has many layers.
Palate is mouth filling and rich without being ott. In no way fresh, but that ain’t the game here. All those, nutty, dried fruits come through, has this really lovely tiramisu thing going on in the mid palate and finish (which is long). If you like this style, this is bonkers good value! Best with punchy cuisine such as smoked anchovies and southern french fair. — 3 years ago
N - Refined, Smokey blackcurrant & black cherry fruit, graphite, coal, decaying violets, warm, stoney soil, blood and sweet meats. Beautiful.
P - Wonderfully refined, buffered cocoa powder tannins, refreshing black fruit. Fucking delicious. — 3 years ago
Love these Chablis area Pinot Noirs!
N - Plush Smokey/cherry pie, damp earth, wet rose along with dried cranberry and ink. Fresh, and very attractive.
p - light weight, sapped and lined with spiced ginger notes while finishing on tart dried cranberry and crushed chalk.
This is quite a sinewy wine without a spare ounce of fat. Fresh, distinctive and savoury in character. Lean in style, I love it foe its freshness but this is not for those that prefer fleshier reds. — 3 years ago
Matté
Manager The Wine Cellars
Matté had this a year ago