Winemaker Pierre Etcheberry was on hand to add some details to proceedings in what was a speedy and very enjoyable tasting. As regular readers know, I am a massive fan of these wines, and you can find write-ups of both the releases and the s on this website. I understand that the merchant list is ever-expanding as I predicted last year , but those who first took the plunge and are likely to step up again are www.
It goes without saying that production is limited. There is a certain amount of cache when you pour these wines, assuming people know the story and, most importantly, these are stunningly beautiful wines, so do not delay in contacting your preferred merchant. There is something glossy and shimmering about both of these s, and unlike the edgy vintage wines, there is a precocity and silkiness here that seems to insist that you drink the wines immediately and with gusto.
I tasted it at 10 am and found myself checking my watch as the desire to swallow a couple of mouthfuls almost overcame me. There is imperceptibly more richness here, thanks to the hot, dry weather, and the harvest took place early, between the 17th and 20th of August. The crisp acidity balances the alert, welcoming fruit and the pear and white peach fruit flavours are cut with hints of eucalyptus, lashings of ozone freshness and discreet moments of pine resin.
The result is a wine that appears sculpted and statuesque instead of liquid and languid. There is no interference from any oak, allowing the cadence of flavour on the palate to keep up a brisk trot, refreshing the taste buds as it goes. While it was a warm vintage, there is plenty of soil and airborne moisture here, so there is a sense of atomiser freshness, which spritzes the palate, cooling the whole experience and bringing even more freshness to the whole.
Just make sure you secure your stock now! It was all over and done with before September kicked off, and like its sibling, this is a beautifully relaxed and enticing wine. All of the vines are farmed organically, as you might expect. With little handling involved, aside from excellent vineyard husbandry and sensitive winemaking a given, Pierre explained that the critical decision each year is on what date they pick each parcel of vines.
