Had a friend over last night and pulled a '13 Domaine Besson Chablis to share. Ryan and I had just discussed this wine in a separate post and it was time for me to retaste now that the wine has had time to settle down. I also opened a '14 Besson premier cru for comparison.
2013 Domaine Besson Chablis Chardonnay
A big Chablis. Petrol nose. Our guest thought the aroma was also similar to the smell of "unassembled laminated particle board furniture from Ikea"--one of the kinkier wine descriptors I've ever heard! On the palate peculiarly sweet; the acid's there to carry it but unlike just about any other white with too much RS it shows sweetest when it's cold and less so as it warms up. Doesn't seem quite as California-ish as it did to me in April, but there is a mango element here.
2014 Domaine Besson Chablis 1er Cru Montmains Chardonnay
No question that this is a major step up from the other. Nose of green apple and corn cobs--you know, after you gnaw off the corn, the cob itself has a distinctive flavor, with more green apple on palate and a distinct salinity. Very pleasant.