Louis Chenu & Fils Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru "Les Lavières" 2007
12,5% abv. Very light colour. The scent is perhaps a bit closed, but it is still enjoyable and everything seems stylistically very much to my taste. Bright aromas, pure pinosity; seemingly soft fruit but with bright, crisp acidity and a lovely, tiny quinine bitterness on the finish. The only thing extreme about this wine is its elegance.
There is seemingly a touch of new oak (but really only a touch, so small that I don't mind it), but I learn from Bill Nanson's site, where there is a nice profile of the property, that they only use new barrels to replace old ones rather than to provide actual flavour.
Quinta da Lixa Alvarinho Vinho Verde 2010
13% abv; c.14€. From the Monção e Melgaço sub-region known for growing Alvarinho instead of Loureiro, Arinto, Trajadura, Avesso and Azal. It has very tropical and peachy aromatics, but it is also mineral. This is a rich and weighty wine, far more so than I imagined even Alvarinho Vinho Verdes could be (even though I have read that they are substantially more rich than other VVs). A slight annoyance to me is a small hint of pear-drops on the scent (is this something to do with yeasts or maceration? I seem to see it often in cheaper whites no matter the grape or area.) It's a decent wine, just don't expect something deliciously light and tart.
Domaine de Nalys Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve 2008
14,5% abv; 78% Syrah, Grenache 12% & Mourvèdre 10%. 39,90€. 16 months in Barriques of which 30% was new. Very dark aromas, some cherry jam, with air the milk chocolate aromas of the oak begin to overwhelm. Thick and concentrated but some attractive bitterness. Quite underwhelming.