2002 Clos Rougeard, Samur Breze:
100% chenin blanc; golden in the glass; oak and smoked pineapple nose; oak and a sort of a sour pineapple and wool flavor with remarkable concentration but disjointed and angular; very long but again, the oak is distracting. Showing closed and young.
(Aside: Many experienced tasters love the wines from this house but I can only guess that I have had them too young. Whether red or white, they are always over-oaked for me and while I admire the concentration and precision, I can not drink them.
I surmise that this says more about my tasting range (narrow) and my distain of oak smells and flavors (intolerant) then it does about the wines. Something that someone reading my notes should probably take into account.)
2009 Tempier, Bandol Rose:
Pale salmon color; expansive aromas of apricot, peach and mineral; beautifully round in the mouth but the acids keep it vigorous and bright, excellent depth, satin textures and fine length. As a good a rose as there is and actually worth the $30 price tag.
2005 Foreau, Vouvray Sec:
Closed on the nose and palate - too young; has some chenin character and is “pretty” in its delivery but ungenerous at the moment. On release, this was sensational so I have hopes for its future.
2005 Vissoux, Fleurie Poncie:
Much like the 2005 Brun, Fleurie I had recently in that its mostly structure now with the mineral and tannin elements dominant - but as it airs, some of the rich, deep fruit that this showed on release comes to the fore and I fall in love all over again. One of my all time favorite wines.
Best, Jim
Jim, couldn't agree more re the 2009 Tempier Rose. I thought it was pretty special on the first two occasions I tasted it, but Bob and I had a bottle for just the two of us on Sunday, and we both agreed we've never had a better rose anywhere. I've got six bottles and two magums coming.