Here's a new producer I need to explore. A faint whiff of sulphur initially, but that blows off quickly and leads into a lovely scent of ripe white fruits and floral scents, with lighter mineral and earthy notes in the background that keep developing with air. The aromatics are stunning, though the palate doesn't quite live up - there's bright fruit up front, but the back end feels rather lean and finishes a bit abruptly. The aromatics alone would be an A, it's a letdown on the palate, but now I'm intrigued to see more from this producer in richer vintages and from other sites.
France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Montagny 1er Cru
Well damn. Opened this to follow the '21 Givry Champ Pourot and - the first impressions aren't great. Lots of sulfur. Lots. We're talking seventh layer of hell here, with Dante needed to give us a tour. And then once the sulfur clears (well over an hour after being opened), the wine beneath is absolutely stellar. Rich buttered popcorn, lightly smoky, and intensely earthy/mineral scents lead into a palate that has plenty of rich white fruit over a firm mineral base, there's a rich, almost chewy texture and heft on the palate that speaks to an older style of white Burg, and the whole package is so compelling. Just terrific wine that manages to hit the mark for everything I want out of a white Burg.
Pleasant though not particularly complex - pretty red fruit tinged with light floral and herbal notes, though felt a bit thin and lean on the midpalate and back end. Decent enough with pizza, but didn't see how this was really a step up over the base Terre Nere bottling.
Update on night 2: I'm liking this a whole lot more; the fruit's still bright but there's more earthy and savoury depth here, and at the same time the middle feels more rounded out than the first night.
Lovely wine that kept getting better and more fragrant as the night went on. Rich black fruit accented by bright minty and lightly spicy notes on a frame that's medium weight and surprisingly silken - this is one of the few times I've had a Petite Sirah where the tannin actually felt fully resolved. The structure here comes from the acidity which adds a sense of freshness and real vibrancy to the fruit, and the whole package is delicious.
2021 Domaine Cottenceau Givry Champ Pourot Blanc 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Givry
Here's a new producer I need to explore. A faint whiff of sulphur initially, but that blows off quickly and leads into a lovely scent of ripe white fruits and floral scents, with lighter mineral and earthy notes in the background that keep developing with air. The aromatics are stunning, though the palate doesn't quite live up - there's bright fruit up front, but the back end feels rather lean and finishes a bit abruptly. The aromatics alone would be an A, it's a letdown on the palate, but now I'm intrigued to see more from this producer in richer vintages and from other sites.
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2022 Domaine Cottenceau Montagny 1er Cru Montcuchot 93 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Montagny 1er Cru
Well damn. Opened this to follow the '21 Givry Champ Pourot and - the first impressions aren't great. Lots of sulfur. Lots. We're talking seventh layer of hell here, with Dante needed to give us a tour. And then once the sulfur clears (well over an hour after being opened), the wine beneath is absolutely stellar. Rich buttered popcorn, lightly smoky, and intensely earthy/mineral scents lead into a palate that has plenty of rich white fruit over a firm mineral base, there's a rich, almost chewy texture and heft on the palate that speaks to an older style of white Burg, and the whole package is so compelling. Just terrific wine that manages to hit the mark for everything I want out of a white Burg.
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2022 Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso 20° Anniversario Bellacolonna 90 Points
Italy, Sicily, Etna DOC
Pleasant though not particularly complex - pretty red fruit tinged with light floral and herbal notes, though felt a bit thin and lean on the midpalate and back end. Decent enough with pizza, but didn't see how this was really a step up over the base Terre Nere bottling.
Update on night 2: I'm liking this a whole lot more; the fruit's still bright but there's more earthy and savoury depth here, and at the same time the middle feels more rounded out than the first night.
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1994 Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Lovely wine that kept getting better and more fragrant as the night went on. Rich black fruit accented by bright minty and lightly spicy notes on a frame that's medium weight and surprisingly silken - this is one of the few times I've had a Petite Sirah where the tannin actually felt fully resolved. The structure here comes from the acidity which adds a sense of freshness and real vibrancy to the fruit, and the whole package is delicious.
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