WTN: Ups and downs

2005 Pieropan, Soave Calvarino:
Initially, very intense and concentrated – reminded me of a young grüner from Knoll or a similar producer – almost too forceful to be enjoyable; but over about an hour it opened and smoothed to become a bright, animated wine full of lemon/honey flavors with nuance and sustain. Certainly showing young but packed with energy and potential. As good a Soave as I have had. 12.5% alcohol.

2005 Pepière, Muscadet Clos des Briords:
12% alcohol; this is very fine; smooth but not soft, considerable density while still lively and complex, long and refreshing. Drinks well right now but will obviously age. A terrific wine.

2000 Thomas, Pinot Noir:
13% alcohol; just too sulpherous for me. I decanted it and covered it so we’ll try it tomorrow – but honestly, ten years from vintage and sulpher is the over-riding impression? ‘Not working for me.
Day two: balsamic and sour raisins – this was totally shot.

1999 Barthod, Chambolle-Musigny Les Fuées:
This is solid and agreeable, albeit foursquare and more black fruit then red. Good, not great, uncomplicated and way over-priced.
I have just about had enough of this producer – I hear great things and people say how much they wish she had some grand cru terroir. Baloney. This may be the only wine I’ve had from Barthod that has been open enough to enjoy and this is simple and unremarkable. And the prices being charged these days! – somebody else can pay them – no more of my money is spent at this house.

2005 Vissoux, Fleurie Poncié:
Something wonderful, fruit sweet, considerable backbone, smooth, layered and just so juicy and deep – one of those wines that gives definition to the word ‘pleasure.’ I loved this wine on release and even more so now that it has shed some baby-fat and shown its depth. One of the most enjoyable wines in my cellar.

Best, Jim

[David M. Bueker]

Many thanks for the Briords note. I selected three bottles of that wine to be part of the WLDG aging experiment which culminates in about 3 weeks. The two "cellared" bottles should be quite enjoyable. The wild card is the intentionally mis-stored bottle.

I like Barthod more than you. Of course I have not had the '99s, but the few '99s I have opened in anyrecent time have been rather charmless. I hear about how '99 never shut down, but I am not seeing/tasting it.

Thanks for great notes.
Sounds like time to break out a Poncie, I'm down to 2 and have been rationing them.
Also sounds like good time for the Briords, at least in 750 (have mags I'll hold a bit longer)
The Calvarino I bought on your notes, and have been very pleased,.

I have two bottles of a '99 Chambolle-Musigny "Les Fuees" from another producer (Mugnier or Mugneret ). I was thinking about opening one of them this year but David may be right that the 99's have finally closed down. I've been patient this long--I can wait another three or four years and hope for a better showing. Besides, my stash of '99 Burgs, which once seemed plentiful, has been dwindling.

I would think it's Mugnier (although its possible one of the lesser Mugneret might have a Fuees). If so, I would think patience would be warranted

Hmmm. based on a shop owners recommendation, I picked up the 99 Camus Bruchard. He said it was (now) open for business and had just opened up.