WTN: Strike Two

Domaine Marie Thibault 2015 Touraine Azay-le-Rideau "Premier Nez." This was the second of two wines from this appellation that I was skillfully hand-sold by a merchant who had recently visited the Domaine, and I wanted to like it, but I'm underwhelmed again. Where the Quentin Bourse seemed lacking in concentration, this has a sharp, sour-tropical front end that is more reminiscent of some Sauvignon Blancs than of Chenin; and while there's some interesting stuff going on later in the trajectory, it feels like there's a hurdle of imbalance to jump at the beginning of each sip. Not my only bottle, I'm afraid, but maybe it will mellow with some age.

A few other quick things from last week: Dirty and Rowdy 2016 Mendocino County Mourvedre, Alder Springs Vineyard, "Especial." Light, bright, almost Gamay-like in its (lack of) saturation but clearly Mourvedre on the palate; this takes some coaxing to bring out any depth, but it fleshes out nicely. Relatively simple but very tasty and a good red for a hot day.

Greywacke 2016 Marlborough (NZ) Sauvignon Blanc. Picked up some of this for $20 a while back after recognizing the name in the shop from a TN of Jenise's, though this wasn't the special one that Sue brought. Still, it's solid, with a little more concentration and maybe also a little less finesse than the same vintage of Cloudy Bay (for example), with a bit more ripe-tart gooseberry, but very appealing and solid value.

Nadler 2015 Carnuntum Zweigelt Rotburger Rosé. Very pale orange-pink, with pale, drying flavors to match. Andrea finds something vegetal on the finish and declines to finish her portion, the universal spousal signal for "don't buy this again"; whatever she perceives escapes me, so I drink her last glass while entering it on the mental blacklist.

Leitz 2015 Rheingau Riesling. Simple, easy-drinking, not terribly focused, but solid; chosen to go with a very spicy mapo tofu and served well in that context, decent value for $14.

[David M. Bueker]

The "Especial" is my least favorite D&R wine. (hangs head in shame)

There's no shame in having ordinal preferences.

[God, did I just make a rational-choice-theory joke? I blame the eclipse.]

thanks for notes.
The only Azay-le-Rideaus I really know are the Robert Denis sec and demi-secs, which can be quite good, though seem to not be around much any more. Used to see the mid-90s vintages a lot.

thanks for notes.
The only Azay-le-Rideaus I really know are the Robert Denis sec and demi-secs, which can be quite good, though seem to not be around much any more. Used to see the mid-90s vintages a lot.

Yes, that was the name. Although when there are so few producers available, it's difficult to get a handle on the appellation. The Denis wines were generally austere and backwards, which does not sound like Patchen's bottle. But who knows what's what.

Robert Denis isn't a name I know, but now I'll recognize it if I see it; maybe the third time will be the charm. Thanks!

(And, no, austere and backwards wasn't the problem with either of these bottles, that's for sure...)

Apparently the reason I don't see Robert Denis any more is he died in late 90s.
http://www.jacquelinefriedrich.com/file ... Rideau.pdf

Too bad there wasn't a fourth generation to take over that domaine.

Thanks for posting this, Dale, it's very interesting reading, and it makes me think that I shouldn't dismiss the appellation or even these producers!