Community Tasting Note

• 2 Utes wrote: flawed

  August 3, 2023 - I think this wine is going through a secondary fermentation. I have now seen significant bubbling when pouring, and drinking of this wine. 2 bottles in of 6. Flavors are good. But not what I would expect from a 35th anniversary wine.

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3 Comments

• misterstarre commented:

  8/4/23, 11:12 AM - Hmmm. Weird. He picks these at really low brix, so I'd be surprised if there's a secondary fermentation going on. I sometimes get an almost effervescent quality, though, from their lighter wines when there's residual carbon dioxide left over from carbonic maceration. This tends to mellow after a few years. But here I go, doubting what you experienced first hand. Let me know I'm wrong. This is fascinating. Also, I don't know if this was done carbonicly.

• 2 Utes commented:

  8/16/23, 7:31 AM - I think you could be right. More effervescent. Just the same a bit unusual. Again, the flavor profile is not dramatically affected, but certainly not my preference. Thanks so much for the comments and insight.

• misterstarre commented:

  8/16/23, 9:41 AM - Of course! The Chene is an unusual terroir compared to their other bottlings, and I think it needs time to settle down and integrate. If you want to try a Whitcraft pinot with a little more volume on the fruit, try the 459. It's likely much more integrated right now. And it's more medium than light bodied. But it has the same DNA, if you will, and it just may not be your style. The Chardonnays are fantastic, btw. Tight, acidic, citrusy, salty, tart green apple, limestone...and the Syrahs are excellent, too. Some louder and more peppery, like a Cornas, and others (the Escolle) fresher and more elegant, like a Cote Rotie. (As you can tell, I'm a Whitcraft fan.)

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