This was a weekend of uncommon extravagance!
With my tastes for wines with high acidity, minerality and a generally elegant outlook, it is rather surprising that I have lately had some interest in white Rhones. M. Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc Chante-Alouette 2004 was quite a sensational match with a soup of Jerusalem Artichokes and smoked reindeer though I was worried that the texture of soup will not work with wines. 100% Marsanne; 14,5% abv; 50,10€. Light gold. The nose is quite closed: some marzipan, nuts and peach - very attractive scent on the savoury rather than the sweet side. Very rich and oily in texture, low in acid but strangely enough stays together and is actually moreish. Extremely long, oily and nutty aftertaste. Sadly the alcohol does stick out a bit, though otherwise it is a very interesting wine. I sometimes have issues with oak and Chapoutier, but not in this one though apparently a third of the wood is new!
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2005 (AP 25770500606; 7,5% abv) was a nice, weighty wine with still lots of fat - a sunny style but pure. The structure is showing better than in previous tastes. I think this will turn out nice.
Forumite Ben Rotter kindly sent a couple Rhubarb wines that I tried with szechuan chicken which I think is a very good food for these wines. The Passionvale Sweet Mayfield Vegetal 2007 was indeed vegetal, slightly bitter, small touch of jalopeño - quite a mute nose but interesting. Slightly sweet, enough acid to keep it clean and refreshing, vegetal/earthy aftertaste. Nice!
Passionvale Sweet Mayfield Oxidised 2007 was earthy, dried apples - rather reminds me of some ciders. It is pétillant, quite tannic (?)/good grip, finishes dry and mineral. Very pleasant. I think Ben is making some really great fruit wines!
-Otto
