2007 Franois Cazin (Le Petit Chambord) Cour-Cheverny Vendanges Manuelles
Continuing through my Spring '09 exploration of French whites, this one from the under-the-radar Romorantin grape. Initially after uncorking, I note that this is not zesty and springy like a Sauvignon Blanc, it's more reserved and deep. It shows under-ripe white peaches, dried nectarine and maybe a dusting of nutmeg, on a slightly oily, rounded mouthfeel, with nothing too overt. As it airs, the acidity emerges, the palate becomes more narrow and tapered, and the finish lengthens and shows good sustain. It's only lightly minerally at first; this wine is more about rainwater freshness and reserved white fruit, more rounded and much less herbal and zippy than a Sauvignon Blanc. After a few hours of air, the wine smells like apple juice, and the palate shows more and more citrus, minerals and steel, with a long, juicy finish. The wine has gone from round and reserved to steely, more acidic and more minerally over time. Really good, and further evidence that if the label says that it's a Dressner import, I will probably like it.
Continuing through my Spring '09 exploration of French whites, this one from the under-the-radar Romorantin grape. Initially after uncorking, I note that this is not zesty and springy like a Sauvignon Blanc, it's more reserved and deep. It shows under-ripe white peaches, dried nectarine and maybe a dusting of nutmeg, on a slightly oily, rounded mouthfeel, with nothing too overt. As it airs, the acidity emerges, the palate becomes more narrow and tapered, and the finish lengthens and shows good sustain. It's only lightly minerally at first; this wine is more about rainwater freshness and reserved white fruit, more rounded and much less herbal and zippy than a Sauvignon Blanc. After a few hours of air, the wine smells like apple juice, and the palate shows more and more citrus, minerals and steel, with a long, juicy finish. The wine has gone from round and reserved to steely, more acidic and more minerally over time. Really good, and further evidence that if the label says that it's a Dressner import, I will probably like it.