WTN: 2014 CdBriailles IdV Blanc: Chardonnay that Convinces

I recently had a rather dull and wan bottle of 2014 Chandon de Briailles Île des Vergelesses Blanc so there was not a lot of expectation when I opened another bottle last night. (It seemed like the best readily-available option to pair with mako shark marinated in a sour orange sauce, sweet potato latkes, and sauteed chard. Side note, the shark was beautiful pink and fresh when raw, but not the most convincing flavor once cooked).

However, last night's Briailles was fantastic. A great match with the food (bravo on that front). Such delightful golden delicate minty fruits, some of that white Burg depth and breadth on the palate, but always so delicate and elegant. It almost makes me want to buy more!

[David M. Bueker]

The food made the difference, or was your prior bottle off in some way?

The food made the difference, or was your prior bottle off in some way?

Who knows.

Maybe the prior bottle was lightly corked (although I really don't think so), maybe it was a difference in cosmic energy, maybe it was a difference in me (if I remember correctly I had just recovered from a stomach bug when I had the prior bottle). Who knows. But I don't think it was just the food match, because last night's bottle was rockin and rollin even as I finished it off without food after dinner.

Or maybe I overstated the limitations of the earlier bottle. Because it wasn't bad. It just wasn't very inspiring.

Either way, I was very happy last night!