Ian Fitzsimmons
Ian Fitzsimmons
2002 Meulenhof Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett:
Weak and washed-out on opening; better day two, but modest and refined, rather than zingy or powerful.
2002 von Simmern Erbacher Marcobrunn:
Definite wow. Second of these I've opened recently, and one of the best Kabinetts I've enjoyed, bordering on Spaetlese weight. Pure, steely sensation, modest sweetness that evaporates with air time, great balance, complexity. Great wine, definitely in Rheingau cast.
1999 JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese:
Decent but unexceptional - not a great year, perhaps too young for a Prum AL. Touch of gasoline. Okay as aperitif.
2004 Fevre Fourchaume Valoraunt:
This is beautiful, ravishing, elegant: delicate finesse plus swampy Chablis flavor. I've read this bit of Fourchaume abuts Preusse and believe it. Needs a bit of air, may improve, good for present drinking if you fear premox.
2000 Petite Eglise:
Also in a good place, after a lengthy dumb spell. Nicely furry, middling-rich b'x, pulls you up on the finish.
2003 Jaboulet Thalabert:
I've been reading Jaboulet obituaries, but this wine is drinking very nicely now over a three-day stretch. Impressive, sauvage N. Rhone syrah with depth and complexity.
1999 Vieux Donjon:
Also very nice: smooth, round, pleasant to drink; edges and imbalances of its youth all gone. I've been hasty in casting CdP wholesale into outer darkness, perhaps.
NV Tissot Cremant de Jura
Delicious: smooth, balanced, clean; with time yeasty, blanc-de-blanc-like flavors, modestly proportioned. This is like Champagne for everyday. Made from Chardonnay? Going back for more.
2002 Burguet Bourgogne Pince Vin
Large and voluminous on opening, much bigger than 02 villages I've opened from lesser domaines. Settles down quickly. I'm drinking this now and not sure where it's headed, but it's lot of wine for a Bourgogne.
Weak and washed-out on opening; better day two, but modest and refined, rather than zingy or powerful.
2002 von Simmern Erbacher Marcobrunn:
Definite wow. Second of these I've opened recently, and one of the best Kabinetts I've enjoyed, bordering on Spaetlese weight. Pure, steely sensation, modest sweetness that evaporates with air time, great balance, complexity. Great wine, definitely in Rheingau cast.
1999 JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese:
Decent but unexceptional - not a great year, perhaps too young for a Prum AL. Touch of gasoline. Okay as aperitif.
2004 Fevre Fourchaume Valoraunt:
This is beautiful, ravishing, elegant: delicate finesse plus swampy Chablis flavor. I've read this bit of Fourchaume abuts Preusse and believe it. Needs a bit of air, may improve, good for present drinking if you fear premox.
2000 Petite Eglise:
Also in a good place, after a lengthy dumb spell. Nicely furry, middling-rich b'x, pulls you up on the finish.
2003 Jaboulet Thalabert:
I've been reading Jaboulet obituaries, but this wine is drinking very nicely now over a three-day stretch. Impressive, sauvage N. Rhone syrah with depth and complexity.
1999 Vieux Donjon:
Also very nice: smooth, round, pleasant to drink; edges and imbalances of its youth all gone. I've been hasty in casting CdP wholesale into outer darkness, perhaps.
NV Tissot Cremant de Jura
Delicious: smooth, balanced, clean; with time yeasty, blanc-de-blanc-like flavors, modestly proportioned. This is like Champagne for everyday. Made from Chardonnay? Going back for more.
2002 Burguet Bourgogne Pince Vin
Large and voluminous on opening, much bigger than 02 villages I've opened from lesser domaines. Settles down quickly. I'm drinking this now and not sure where it's headed, but it's lot of wine for a Bourgogne.