Ian Fitzsimmons
Ian Fitzsimmons
Apropos the recent short chat on Vissoux cuvees and vintages, I just saw that Weygandt, who imports Vissoux, is having a sale on the 08s at their Washington retail store. Nothing earth-shattering - a few dollars a bottle - and a tasting Saturday. (I have no particular interest in Weygandt's operations).
The announcement includes an explanatory blurb on Vissoux's hitherto elusive Garant vineyard. I think it is Schildknecht's, but the attribution isn't entirely clear:
"From similarly middle-aged vines on decomposed granite, Chermette's 2008 Fleurie Les Garants - from some of the highest elevations in its appellation, and like the Couderts' Clos de la Roilette, classified as Moulin-a-Vent until 1927 - evinces a smoky, alkaline overlay to its panoply of ripe yet tart fruits. Reflecting its late harvest, there is a spicy intensity and abundance of inner-mouth esters yet as always from this site, an energy and brightness - in this instance of cherry and rhubarb - but this year an especially serious sense of grip, and a less treble, high-toned personality than the Poncie. Here too, 4-5 years' bottle potential seems a conservative estimate."
The announcement includes an explanatory blurb on Vissoux's hitherto elusive Garant vineyard. I think it is Schildknecht's, but the attribution isn't entirely clear:
"From similarly middle-aged vines on decomposed granite, Chermette's 2008 Fleurie Les Garants - from some of the highest elevations in its appellation, and like the Couderts' Clos de la Roilette, classified as Moulin-a-Vent until 1927 - evinces a smoky, alkaline overlay to its panoply of ripe yet tart fruits. Reflecting its late harvest, there is a spicy intensity and abundance of inner-mouth esters yet as always from this site, an energy and brightness - in this instance of cherry and rhubarb - but this year an especially serious sense of grip, and a less treble, high-toned personality than the Poncie. Here too, 4-5 years' bottle potential seems a conservative estimate."