DWCC Iconic Swiss Varietals with Mr. Paolo Basso

Montreux, Switzerland
Tasted Saturday, November 1, 2014 by Eric with 423 views

Introduction

A distinguished line-up of ‘Top’ Swiss wines, led by Paolo Basso, the Best Sommelier of the World in 2013 is known for its unique curriculum of international standard. He won many prestigious awards and he is one of the only five sommeliers who have won both titles of Best Sommelier of Europe and the Best Sommelier in the World.

The wines were terrific, although the format was fairly clinical with Mr. Basso just blasting through the wines and rattling a zillion (usually) interesting and reasonable descriptions. Personally I would have preferred a bit more interaction and discussion. Still, the wines were terrific and poured in an order that made sense.

Flight 1 (10 Notes)

  • 2012 Pierre-Luc Leyvraz Chasselas Grand Cru Les Blassinges

    Switzerland, Vaud, Lavaux, St. Saphorin

    Slate, citrus and lime. OMG, there is so much energy to this one. Some trapped CO2 apparently and very effective. This is not a big wine, but it is frisky, zingy and clean. Some what straight and linear, in a good and focused way. A really nice saline and mineral aspect. Paolo's descriptors included "licorice, very pleasant."

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  • 2012 St. Jodern Kellerei Heida Visperterminen

    Switzerland, Valais, Visperterminen

    Funky and full. Smoke and slate. Quite pungent and tropical with pineapple jelly, lychee and passion fruit. Something quite exotic going on here. A synonym for Savagnin Blanc. Grown at 1000 meters from pre-phyloxxera vines. Quite full but with impressive acidity. Finishes out with a heavy glycerin aspect.

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  • 2013 Domaine les Hutins Sauvignon Blanc

    Switzerland, Genève, Dardagny

    Now THAT is Sauvignon Blanc with grass and stinky mineral. Clean and intense. This isn't Sancerre, but it's a lovely expression of SB.

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  • 2010 Domaine de Chambleau Caves de Chambleau "Pur Sang" Neuchâtel

    Switzerland, Three Lakes, Neuchâtel

    Quite stemmy but also featuring some rather ripe aspects. Lovely strawberry notes. A touch ripe on the finish. Smoky. Oak I guess.

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  • 2010 Gantenbein Pinot Noir

    Switzerland, Eastern Switzerland, Graubünden, Fläsch

    A bit reductive and smoky. Quite full and balanced, silky, bordering on thick. A very looooong finish with nice raspberry and mineral. I have managed to taste a number of these now, and it is world class Pinot albeit in a much "bigger" style for Switzerland.

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  • 2009 Jean-René Germanier Syrah Cayas Réserve

    Switzerland, Valais

    Smoky, a bit of reduction, loaded with black pepper notes. Big structure with black and red fruit. Very savory with a licorice element. Really serious Syrah.

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  • 2011 Guido Brivio Merlot Platinum

    Switzerland, Ticino

    Orange zest, black fruit. Paolo sez "juniper and ivy leaf." I get slightly spicier green notes. Amazing Merlot palate, silky, rich, and deep with chocolate, cherry and black fruit. Finishing out a bit oaky with licorice and tar. Really rather serious Merlot.

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  • 2011 Clos Tsampéhro

    Switzerland, Valais, Flanthey

    Interesting nose, herbal and a bit spicy. Vigorous and quite powerful on the palate although rather international. Very ripe. Searing and powerful tannins.

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  • 2010 Valais Mundi Uvrier Electus

    Switzerland, Valais

    A blend of Cornalin, Humagne Rouge, Cab Sauv, Syrah, Diolinoir, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. To me this is a bit raisined. There is a nice slate/mineral aspect, but it is awfully full, intense and powerful.

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  • 2001 Marie-Thérèse Chappaz Petite Arvine Grain Noble

    Switzerland, Valais, Fully

    Richy botrytis, apricot, quite intense. Almost a touch of white pepper in the nose. Marmalade and (per Paolo) some Jasmine. A very late (December 3) harvest. Amazing acidity on top of remarkable ripeness. Really special wine. Pepper, spice, mineral and salt. And per Paolo, "pear, hazelnut, vanilla and cinnamon."

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