2011 Pierre Bise Liquoreux

R

Rahsaan

Rahsaan
I don't drink many of the intensely sweet wines. But I like them. So recently I decided to buy the 2011 Pierre Bise Clos de la Soucherie Côteaux du Layon Beaulieu and the 2011 Pierre Bise Quarts de Chaume. To reminisce on old times/producers, to see how the recent wines taste, and to enjoy the sugar!

I was not disappointed. From what I understand it was not the hottest year in the region, but both of these wines are intensely sweet and creamy with dark chewy raisins and viscous vanilla. Of course the chenin structure was there and these were not lacquered Sauternes. But still, I'm not sure how much riper or sweeter these wines could be.

I'm also not sure if I could really tell the difference between the wines at this point without looking at the label. Maybe the power of suggestion was for darker raisins and more elegance on the Quarts de Chaume, but I wouldn't want anyone's life to depend on correctly identifying it blind!

Will the distinctions emerge with time? Or will the $30ish Beaulieu always be a better value than the $50ish Quarts de Chaume?
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:
2011 Pierre Bise LiquoreuxI don't drink many of the intensely sweet wines. But I like them. So recently I decided to buy the 2011 Pierre Bise Clos de la Soucherie Côteaux du Layon Beaulieu and the 2011 Pierre Bise Quarts de Chaume. To reminisce on old times/producers, to see how the recent wines taste, and to enjoy the sugar!

I was not disappointed. From what I understand it was not the hottest year in the region, but both of these wines are intensely sweet and creamy with dark chewy raisins and viscous vanilla. Of course the chenin structure was there and these were not lacquered Sauternes. But still, I'm not sure how much riper or sweeter these wines could be.

I'm also not sure if I could really tell the difference between the wines at this point without looking at the label. Maybe the power of suggestion was for darker raisins and more elegance on the Quarts de Chaume, but I wouldn't want anyone's life to depend on correctly identifying it blind!

Will the distinctions emerge with time? Or will the $30ish Beaulieu always be a better value than the $50ish Quarts de Chaume?
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I love these types of wines, but never see much variety at Chicago retailers. Bise of any type is hit and miss on the shelves.

Nice notes, I may need to track them down via the webs.
 
originally posted by Brad Kane:
Fwiw, I always preferred his Coteaux du Layon to his Quarts de Chaume.
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Yes, I had the same preferences 10+ years ago when I drank the wines more often. And if I remember correctly Claude agreed and had a reason for why the CdL wines were better, but I forget the details.

Still, was wondering if things had changed.
 
No first hand information, but when googling for updates various articles said that both Rene and Christophe were involved, with some suggesting Rene and Claude were the main team. Which is consistent with my recollection of Rene being the brains and Christophe being the brawn.

But no real recent first hand info here.

FWIW, I've also been drinking and very much enjoying the elegance on the 2012 Pierre Bise Roche aux Moines. I met Claude when he had just acquired this parcel and he is doing a good job of showing its elegance, in an accessible but still elegant way.
 
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