Calvados is just about my favourite spirit when it is like this one. And the fact that it is much more reasonable in price than Cognac or Armagnac of comparable quality does not hurt. However, there is some malt whisky around that gives it a run for its money in QPR terms.
Calvados Pays d’Auge Vénérable – Roger Groult – Alc.41% - (c.€60). I love the whole of the Groult range, although 3 ans d’Age is a touch raw. This one, which is a blend of 18 years old Calvados, still has some of the apple flavour of the 8 & 15 ans d’Age whilst beginning to show the complexity and secondary flavours of Doyen d’Age. There are discreet hints of caramel on the finish but nothing like the trowels of it on some other well known brands. Excellent 17/20. (The Calvados of Domaine Dupont is also excellent.)
Chianti Classico 2006 - Fèlsina Beradenga – Alc.13% was a modem entry level Chianti Classico with medium body, pungent plum tinged red fruit, a lot of minerals, tangy acidity and elegant linear shape on the palate. Very good 16.5/20.
Château d’Aiguilhe - Côtes de Castillon - 1998 – Comtes de Neipperg – Alc13% (80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc). I’m amazed that the last time I opened one of these was as long ago as 2007 when I wrote -
A fine N of complex fruit with cherry brandy notes . A maturely harmonious and structured P with good focus, length, roundness and velvety mouth-feel.
It has lost a little freshness and bloom in 6 years and shows more secondary notes but the above still mostly applies. Very good 16/20.
but even so I would hardly describe, say, Baudry's Les Granges and Blot's Pied de la Butte as light and wimpish.