Six Wines We Loved
Four very different wines jumped out to last week's tasters.
June 7, 2023
Six Wines We Loved
Four very different wines jumped out to last week's tasters. Many people found the Grosjean Petite Arvine hauntingly intriguing. it had subtle pear and peach-like fruit and good acidity. Unfortunately we sold out of everything we and the importer have until the new vintage arrives in August.
The Rouvalis Assyrtiko had a strength of character that appeal to many others. More people thought that it delivered a lot of character and power for its price.
Likewise, 2019 Helfenbein Cotes du Rhone showed a bit milder then my notes from last week but had a balance the many loved from last week. We now have and can recommend strongly the 2020, which is just as good, if not better.
We opened the Robert Foley Charbono well in advance of the tasting over the period over the course of the tasting, It got better and better and by the end, was dancing a lithe and spicy tarantella unusual in a wine of its relative lightness. Later tasters loved it and found it exciting. Decant two hours ahead to experience its rich complexity
The Villeneuve Saumur Champigny was milder in its perfection and overshadowed by other, more powerful wines. The Selvapiana Chianti Rufina was richer and more powerful. It is very, very good and has a long way to go.
White
2021 Grosjean Petite Arvine Vigne Rovettaz Valle d’Aosta: Bright straw with green highlights. Red grapefruit, waxy lime in a dry textured extract highlighted by wisteria and fennel. Bracing acidity and solid structure with real complexity. Surprising saline undercurrent in the finish. Try this with lobster.Excellent-Outstanding $33 Sold out
2021 Rouvalis Assyrtiko; Aroma: Clean very firm, heady mineral, and bright with light smoke Mouth: Clean light firm, rounded sweet fruit, slightly smoky, herbal finish, long ripe acid; Very Good - Excellent $23.99; Case, $19.99
Red
2016 Ch De Villeneuve Saumur Champigny Le Grand Clos; Color: very dark heady and earthy, rather full, earthy a touch of leather full; Aroma: some brightness; Mouth: bright clean nicely concentrated, forward, very poised; Excellent$40; Case, $34
2018 Robert Foley Charbono; Color: Very dark almost black; Aroma: Heady full, dark fullish, dense, low toned mochas cream note rather bright; Mouth: Light on entry rather smooth, clean light fresh, fine tannins, bright, rather long, light bright finish, lighter clean fine, lean; Very Good – Excellent $43; Case, $37
2020 Charles Helfenbein Cotes du Rhone St. Julien; Color: very dark, dark black; Aroma: heady and smooth rich, spicy when very heady; Mouth: smooth fine, acid, bright clean intense, very racy, well composed with dark underlying fruit, very long; Very Good Plus $26.99; Case, $22.94
2019 Selvapiana Chianti Rufina Bucerchiale Riserva: Bright ruby. Aromas and flavors of dark cherries and small red berries with notes of rose, olive blossom, and lavender. Fresh acidity with great finesse and silky tannins. Amazing layered texture underlying remarkable complexity. Excellent Outstanding $39, case $33
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- Len Rothenberg
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