Steven Spielmann
Steven Spielmann
Monte Bernardi Chianti Classico "Sa'Etta" 2006. Great fruit, tastes like the 100% Sangiovese it is. Some spicy nuances and a lot of oak, 20 months according to the back label. It might age out someday, hopefully before the fruit loses its vitality. Not sure why you would treat grapes this nice this way to make a low $30's pricepoint. 14%, rich without heaviness, holds it well. I like the material in this wine but not the wine itself, although I finished my half of the bottle without complaining.
Domaine de Belliviere Jasnieres "Calligramme" 2005. Much nicer oak in this one. (I also find the oak in the "Hommage a Louis Derre" interesting.) This is a pretty straight-up-the-middle elegant demi-sec with just a little bit of Savennieres-style beeswax around the edges. It will certainly keep a while but I don't particularly regret culling it from the cellar early either. Not shut down. Worked well with lemon cake on a misty day. 13.5, good concentration, not at all cloying or overbearing. A harmonious and moderately interesting wine, and if more chenin complexity comes out with age it might become more than that.
Domaine de Belliviere Jasnieres "Calligramme" 2005. Much nicer oak in this one. (I also find the oak in the "Hommage a Louis Derre" interesting.) This is a pretty straight-up-the-middle elegant demi-sec with just a little bit of Savennieres-style beeswax around the edges. It will certainly keep a while but I don't particularly regret culling it from the cellar early either. Not shut down. Worked well with lemon cake on a misty day. 13.5, good concentration, not at all cloying or overbearing. A harmonious and moderately interesting wine, and if more chenin complexity comes out with age it might become more than that.