Wine impressions 3-31-25

[Florida Jim]

Wine impressions 3-31-25

N/V Andre Clouet, Champagne Brut Nature (magnum) - clean, pleasant, persistent

N/V M. Haslinger & Fils, Champagne Brut - a step up in flavors and class

2019 Louis Michel, Chablis Forets - full of energy with savory, citrus and salty flavors. An excellent showing.

2019 Marcel Servin, Chablis Les Clos - a slight oxidative note in an otherwise very nice Chablis; not the density I expect from Clos but, for me, that’s a good thing.

2020 Chavy-Chouet, Meursault Clos des Corvees de Citeau - needs a couple years but is true to its AOC and charming now. Special wine.

2007 Cowan Cellars, Syrah Bennett Valley - clearly of its place, drinking well and showing little sign of age. The first wine I made.

2017 Battenfeld Spanier, Am Schwarzen Herrgott Riesling GG Trocken - with air, this becomes pretty compelling with a distinct mineral/dry note and pretty white fruit. Time has served it well.

2017 Foillard, Morgon Côte du Py - while it has good flavors and a nice texture, it seems a little clunky and lacking in verve. Good wine but no more.

2023 Arnot Roberts, Trousseau North Coast - starts slow and a bit disjointed but, with air, becomes an energetic, laser focused, mid-weight version of this grape. By the end of the bottle we were all wishing there was more. Fine.

In honor of a 30th birthday, several birth year (1995) wines:

Chateau d’Yquem - lovely aromas, nice acidity and all one expects from this house.

Chateau Rayas CdP Reserve - I am not a Grenache fan and this doesn’t change my mind. Sound but not something I want to drink.

Chave, Hermitage (Blanc) - always a pleasure to taste this; as good a Rhone Blanc as there is.

Chave, Hermitage (Rouge) - slightly closed but obviously Chave and beautifully made.

Barge, Côte Rotie Côte Brune - at full song, very complex, perfect balance and a joy to drink.

Rocca Albino, Barbaresco Vigneto Brich Ronchi - a touch rustic by itself but sublime with charcuterie.

Reverie, Cabernet Franc - the best Cab Franc I’ve had in a very long time and the best red wine I’ve had from Napa in longer. A masterpiece; true to its variety, precise balance, complex, silken textures and riveting energy.
Very fine.

Best, Jim

 

[Rahsaan]

originally posted by Florida Jim:

2017 Battenfeld Spanier, Am Schwarzen Herrgott Riesling GG Trocken - with air, this becomes pretty compelling with a distinct mineral/dry note and pretty white fruit. Time has served it well.

So it was cranky on release? One imagines there is still plenty of time left for future evolution as well.

 

[Claude Kolm]

originally posted by Rahsaan:

originally posted by Florida Jim:

2017 Battenfeld Spanier, Am Schwarzen Herrgott Riesling GG Trocken - with air, this becomes pretty compelling with a distinct mineral/dry note and pretty white fruit. Time has served it well.

So it was cranky on release? One imagines there is still plenty of time left for future evolution as well.

My experience with Riesling GG, and I guess I have a fair amount of experience with them, is that on release is usually not a good time to be consuming them. At about 4-5 years' age, they begin to open up and the potential generally is well beyond 20 years.

 

[Rahsaan]

originally posted by Claude Kolm:

originally posted by Rahsaan:

originally posted by Florida Jim:

2017 Battenfeld Spanier, Am Schwarzen Herrgott Riesling GG Trocken - with air, this becomes pretty compelling with a distinct mineral/dry note and pretty white fruit. Time has served it well.

So it was cranky on release? One imagines there is still plenty of time left for future evolution as well.

My experience with Riesling GG, and I guess I have a fair amount of experience with them, is that on release is usually not a good time to be consuming them. At about 4-5 years' age, they begin to open up and the potential generally is well beyond 20 years.

Yes, fair enough. Depends on the GG and the vintage, but you're probably right.

 

[Florida Jim]

originally posted by Rahsaan:

originally posted by Florida Jim:

2017 Battenfeld Spanier, Am Schwarzen Herrgott Riesling GG Trocken - with air, this becomes pretty compelling with a distinct mineral/dry note and pretty white fruit. Time has served it well.

So it was cranky on release? One imagines there is still plenty of time left for future evolution as well.

Poorly written.
Let’s try, “The time it’s had has served it well.”

 

[Rahsaan]

Nitpicking aside, glad to heart the positive note. I don't have much experience with Battenfeld Spanier but they should make good wines.

 

[Dan McQ]

The Arnot Roberts Trousseau is definitely one of my favorite trousseaus, especially with a few years in the bottle.

 

[Florida Jim]

originally posted by Dan McQ:
The Arnot Roberts Trousseau is definitely one of my favorite trousseaus, especially with a few years in the bottle.

Dan,
I’ve had the good fortune to drink most of the AR wines on multiple occasions. They are, with one exception, a quality producer and often the most enjoyable bottle on the table.
But the Clary Ranch, Syrah has always baffled me - I just can’t swallow it. Literally.
‘Exception that proves the rule?

 

[VLM]

originally posted by Florida Jim:

originally posted by Dan McQ:
The Arnot Roberts Trousseau is definitely one of my favorite trousseaus, especially with a few years in the bottle.

Dan,
I’ve had the good fortune to drink most of the AR wines on multiple occasions. They are, with one exception, a quality producer and often the most enjoyable bottle on the table.
But the Clary Ranch, Syrah has always baffled me - I just can’t swallow it. Literally.
‘Exception that proves the rule?

We used to call that one "shade grown Syrah" at Cave Taureau. That being said, I've had bottles that I've enjoyed.

 

[mark e]

originally posted by VLM:

originally posted by Florida Jim:

originally posted by Dan McQ:
The Arnot Roberts Trousseau is definitely one of my favorite trousseaus, especially with a few years in the bottle.

Dan,
I’ve had the good fortune to drink most of the AR wines on multiple occasions. They are, with one exception, a quality producer and often the most enjoyable bottle on the table.
But the Clary Ranch, Syrah has always baffled me - I just can’t swallow it. Literally.
‘Exception that proves the rule?

We used to call that one "shade grown Syrah" at Cave Taureau. That being said, I've had bottles that I've enjoyed.

Is that a reference to green, underripe tannins?

 

[VLM]

originally posted by mark e:

originally posted by VLM:

originally posted by Florida Jim:

originally posted by Dan McQ:
The Arnot Roberts Trousseau is definitely one of my favorite trousseaus, especially with a few years in the bottle.

Dan,
I’ve had the good fortune to drink most of the AR wines on multiple occasions. They are, with one exception, a quality producer and often the most enjoyable bottle on the table.
But the Clary Ranch, Syrah has always baffled me - I just can’t swallow it. Literally.
‘Exception that proves the rule?

We used to call that one "shade grown Syrah" at Cave Taureau. That being said, I've had bottles that I've enjoyed.

Is that a reference to green, underripe tannins?

I think I just liked the way it sounded, like shade grown tobacco; however, the wines had a certain leanness and hardness to them in the beginning. It's a very cool site and the wines were regularly < 12%.

 

[Dan McQ]

originally posted by Florida Jim:

originally posted by Dan McQ:
The Arnot Roberts Trousseau is definitely one of my favorite trousseaus, especially with a few years in the bottle.

Dan,
I’ve had the good fortune to drink most of the AR wines on multiple occasions. They are, with one exception, a quality producer and often the most enjoyable bottle on the table.
But the Clary Ranch, Syrah has always baffled me - I just can’t swallow it. Literally.
‘Exception that proves the rule?

Jim - I've found the same. I have a couple bottles I sent to the back of the queue for a few years' timeout. Dan