(2021) A wine I have been lucky enough to enjoy regularly since first tasting it 'en primeur' in 2003, this was from a half bottle and was absolutely glorious. The nose of this has always fascinated, not only heaving with a depth of marmalade, honey and toast, but the exoticism of saffron and candied fruits, and a wonderful suggestion of truffle and dry, Botrytis-rich curry-leaf. In the mouth it is so concentrated, so vital, the intensity of the dried apricot and Seville orange, mouth-filling sweetness, beeswax weight and richness, then the clarity of confit lemon, mineral salts and again, that truffle character adding soulful depth. Quite majestic. Price quoted is for a half bottle.
(2020) Tasted several times, most recently in 2014 (and scored 96) this is probably my favourite of the more recent Suduiraut vintages along with 2001, 2009 and 2010. The colour is a gorgeous burnished gold, and the nose a wonderously deep, smoke, Seville orange and barley sugar confection, notes of fig jam and walnut adding to the warmth of the appeal. On the palate so thick and luscious, the 165g/l of residual sugar meaning it is sweetly mouth-filling, glycerine and honey-rich, with such wonderfully poised acidity giving perfect balance. Just brilliant Sauternes this, undoubtedly with the capacity to cellar further, but utterly delicious now.
(2020) From a hot vintage and the Dundee Hills AVA of the Willamette Valley, this is a wine from the historic vineyard planted in 1965 by David Lett, the first Pinot vineyard to be planted in the Willamette. Farmed organically since inception, the vines are ungrafted, so not on rootstocks. It is fermented with wild yeasts and sees only around 10% oak. A little earthier, spicier than the Te Whare Ra, some game and truffle joins the red fruit. A blast of beautifully sweet, supple cherry and red plum on the palate, underpinned by some leather, game and earthy character, but the tannins and acid structure is truly lovely and gives perfect balance. Price and stockist at time of review is for the previous vintage. Pommard and Wädenswil clones. Imported by: Savage Selection.
(2020) You don’t sense the 10% oak fermentation aromatically, although you do feel it in the creamy, textural finesse. Zesty notes of grapefruit lead into lush, slightly tropical notes, a weighted Champagne without heaviness. More broadly structured than 2008, with less angularity (certainly less toasty), the vintage 2012 is already showing the first flush of fruity generosity (and perhaps lacking a bit of complexity because of that). Fine potential as one expects, yet eminently approachable, I suspect many will struggle to keep their hands off it (I know I will). Enjoy from now until 2028.
(2020) Pale but bright crimson colour. A lot of cranberry and dry herbs and cherries, briar. The palate has a dry juiciness, again there is dried herbs and a touch of currant, good bright citrus acidity. Juicy if slightly lean in the finish.
(2020) Hand harvested, a vineyard selection, whole-cluster pressed and fermented with wild yeast in old barrels, skin contact minimal to avoid overt herbaceousness. Certainly has a more obvious direct fruitiness, mango and paw paw, a light earthiness, juicy, with passion fruit and and juicy apples and citrus in the finish. Price and stockist is for a previous vintage at time of review.
(2020) From this warm vintage, a more tropical style. Gentle capsicum, and the fruit is passion fruit and a touch of fat lemon and lemon rind. Sweet, ripe and delicious nectarine, a ripe orange acidity. Lovely balance. Price and stockist is for the previous vintage at time of review.
(2016) A blend of 69% Malbec, with 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot. Quite a herbaceous and decidedly cedary character, with some animal notes and that briary, leafy quality persisting. The palate becomes much plusher and more juicy, some chocolate and a really pure blue/black fruit. Lovely acid balance, very creamy tannins and some spice, but it is sophisticated stuff indeed.
(2016) Creamy and verging on the tropical, with lots of fruit sweetness and richness on the palate, juicy with orange and ripe juicy apples, a strong lemony punch of acidity.
