With Pierre Bise no longer imported to the US (at least to my knowledge) it has been harder to follow his recent developments in style and vineyard acquisition. So when I see bottles on my European travels I usually buy a few. I must admit that I have not been impressed with what I sensed was a move towards heavier and riper styles (and which he openly admitted was his goal when we met in 2005).
But things evolve and last night I was very impressed with the 2009 Pierre Bise Savennières Clos le Grand Beaupréau. Plenty of round fruit and you won't go lacking for mouthfeel (or alcohol - 14.5%) but there is also a crystal crisp mineral elegance cutting through. I'm guessing this is shutting down as the fruit is not as expressive or honeyed as some earlier notes suggest. But it will be interesting to taste in the future and has lovely layers of clear elegant texture.
In comparison, the 2007 Pierre Bise Savennières Clos le Grand Beaupréau is more in line with the smattering of bottles I've had in recent years. Golden, sunny, thick, and tilting towards plodding. Evolving slightly and as the fruit recedes with age there is a bit more mineral distinction than my memory of the 07s. But this is nowhere near as compelling or as delicately arranged as the 09, so I would much rather investigate that further. If only I had the time!
But things evolve and last night I was very impressed with the 2009 Pierre Bise Savennières Clos le Grand Beaupréau. Plenty of round fruit and you won't go lacking for mouthfeel (or alcohol - 14.5%) but there is also a crystal crisp mineral elegance cutting through. I'm guessing this is shutting down as the fruit is not as expressive or honeyed as some earlier notes suggest. But it will be interesting to taste in the future and has lovely layers of clear elegant texture.
In comparison, the 2007 Pierre Bise Savennières Clos le Grand Beaupréau is more in line with the smattering of bottles I've had in recent years. Golden, sunny, thick, and tilting towards plodding. Evolving slightly and as the fruit recedes with age there is a bit more mineral distinction than my memory of the 07s. But this is nowhere near as compelling or as delicately arranged as the 09, so I would much rather investigate that further. If only I had the time!