WTN: Monthélie, Chianti, Ribolla Gialla

Château de Puligny Montrachet Monthélie 2004

Bright, pretty aromatics, red toned, vegetal and savoury - yet I can't help thinking that despite the purity of Pinosity, there is perhaps a touch more oak than necessary. Ripe fruit, no unbalanced green notes, but it is pleasantly savoury and pleasantly structured and seems very Volnay-like. Really nice, despite my slight reservation about the oak.

When did Etienne de Montille start here? Doesn't he subscribe to his father's oak policy since I saw a bit more than necessary here? Or am I being too picky (as usual)?

Podere le Boncie Chianti Classico Le Trame 2004

It has IMO a lovely lable. It had a nose of ripe cherry, sandalwood and ground nuts. Juicy palate with good grip, very savoury. Long and very charming. Very good, but needs time.

Sdricca di Manzano Ribolla Gialla Colli Orientali del Friuli 2006

This was a disappointment, compared to how lovable the '04 was. This is over-ripe and smells of alcohol (though only 12,5%), though otherwise the aromatics are interesting: pine kernels and hay. Plump, sweet and alcoholic. Hopefully not a representative bottle.

-O

Otto, your Ribolla does not seem to be an improvement on the one I tasted in the recent 2nd hand blind tasting!! You and I deserve better, LOL.

Bob, don't give up yet, some Ribolla Giallas are really charming and mineral wines.

Otto,

Have you had any of Paul Garaudet's Monthelies? Absolute traditional no compromises Burgundy, in my opinion. No extra oak here.

-Paul W.

I agree with Otto. There are good examples out there that don't necessarily cost a lot. Then there is Gravner...pricey but worth the experience.

As for Monthelie, I also like the versions from Comte Lafon which are generally around $35-$40 a bottle.

Otto,

Have you had any of Paul Garaudet's Monthelies? Absolute traditional no compromises Burgundy, in my opinion. No extra oak here.

-Paul W.

I like Jean Garaudet's Monthelie -the Rouge and the few bottles of blanc that he makes have for a long time been beautiful. Alas, the '07 vintage is slated to be his last.

Have you had any of Paul Garaudet's Monthelies? Absolute traditional no compromises Burgundy, in my opinion. No extra oak here.

Never had it, but thanks for the tip - sounds like my type of producer.