WTN: Not dead yet

2002 Champalou Vouvray Cuvée Moelleuse

I found this wine in the cellar recently and quickly put it in the 'drink now' section. I was wondering it would be over the hill or oxidized, and the deep gold/bronze colour was worrisome. Not much on the nose, but there was a rich, sweet, medium bodied and unctuous palate with mango, apricot, pineapple, orange, honey and sweet apple - no oxidation at all. There was enough acidity and botrytis to give it balance. It held up very well over two nights. At peak now, I would think, but a longer plateau is likely (A-).

It's always nice when such a wine performs better than anticipated.

Good note John. Champalou is here downtown incl. a sparkling.

I would be very disappointed if a 21 year old Vouvray moelleux from a reputable producer were over the hill. I recall a 53 year old Vouvray moelleux 1947 from Huet (Le Mont IIRC) at a millennium tasting which was in superb form and IMHO "beat" a Château Yquem 1967 (IIRC). I still have a bottle of Huet's Clos du Bourg moelleux 1971, which I should open soon if I can find suitable company and pairing - difficult with moelleux; I expect that it will be still excellent.

Even a Vouvray sec from a good producer and vintage should be performing well around 20 years, with the caveat that I have had one or two premoxed bottles from Philippe Foreau, 2002 I think.

Thanks tim, I should check the remaining Huet in the cellar. 2005s/09.

Brings back nice memories, I haven't had Champalou in a while. And much better to overperform expectations than underperform!

Huet I wouldn't be worried about, but I had never had such an aged Champalou - good to see it can last a while too.