Community Tasting Note

forceberry wrote:

Saturday, February 29, 2020 - From a monopoly vineyard owned completely by Domaine de la Vougeraie. 100% destemmed fruit, not crushed. Pre-fermentation cold soak for 5 days before fermentation, fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts and macerated for 20 days. Aged for 15 months in oak pièces (40% new). Bottled unfined with light filtration. 12,5% alcohol. Total production 7000 bottles.

Luminous, youthful and quite translucent raspberry red color with a pale pink rim. Seductive, fragrant and wonderfully performed nose with delicate aromas of boysenberries, brambly raspberries, some dried herbs, a little bit of roasted beetroot and a hint of savory spice. The 40% portion of new oak stays well hidden. The wine is ripe, broad and moderately full-bodied on the palate with clean, vibrant and very slightly wild flavors of crunchy cranberries and tart lingonberries, some savory wood spice, a little bit of sour cherry bitterness, light floral notes of violets and rose petals, a sanguine hint of raw meat and a touch of sweet raspberry-driven red fruit. The moderately high acidity and ripe, well-behaved medium tannins keep the wine's balance nicely in check while keeping the mouthfeel velvety. The finish is ripe and juicy with complex flavors of ripe cranberries, brambly raspberries, some fresh cherries, a little bit of tart lingonberry, light savory wood tones, a hint of sweet spices and a touch of floral lift.

I had my reservations on this wine, since I remembered Vougeraie wines to be a bit on the slightly too oaky side for my taste. However, this wine managed to surprise me very positively with its pure, vibrant and wonderfully perfumed overall character. While some oak tones shine through, oak use here is very judicious and the overall feel is of real finesse, combining beautifully fragrant and even delicate red-fruited tones to sense of harmony and understated power. Drinking ridiculously well right now, but showing lots of potential for future development. I don't see why this wine couldn't ramp up its score with cellar age. Pretty lovely stuff.

Post a Comment / View forceberry's profile
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue (2,119 views)