Clos Ouvert Huasa 2008 is from Maule in Chile and is made from the País-grape, supposedly a very average grape at best. But I guess even the less than stellar grapes must make the occasional Sirius or Canopus. Like the best natural wines, this has much fruity sweetness to it, but it never seems heavy. Instead, it is wonderfully refreshing and moreish despite all the sweet, silky red fruit. Great stuff.
Domaine de Château Gaillard Saumur Rouge 2007 is a very intense, tobacco-scented, but ripe and rich, still sweet and primary Cab Franc. I enjoyed it very much in this tasting situation. But I did wonder about the level of sweetness in this wine - will I find it moreish if I open it with dinner? I must try to find a bottle to find out. Scientific experiments, I foretell, will rarely be so much fun.
Ch. Vieux Pourret 2005 is from St.-Emilion, Bordeaux. And it smells lovely: earthy, savoury, refreshing, slightly greenish (or herbaceous or whatever the current favoured euphemism is for what some like to call under-ripeness and what some of us adore); tannic, but ripe; savoury and moreish. Notice something? I write about a young Bordeaux and make no mention of oak!
More like this, please! Lovely!Caparsa Doccio a Matteo Chianti Classico Riserva 1999 was tight and very young, but had the loveliest aromas of tart cherry and damp earth. Crisp and savoury and delightfully tart. Old school Chianti that needs age. Lovely, but (some would say, painfully) young.
Louis Chenu & Filles Savigny-lès-Beaune 1èr Cru "Les Talmettes" 2007 is a producer I hadn't heard of before. But if this wine is indicative of their overall standards, I must remedy the situation very soon. Very light colour. Outstandingly pure Pinosity, both sexy and savoury; light but intense, layer upon layer of elegance. Outstanding.