(2023) Somehow seems more smoky, flinty than the 2019 and 2020, a touch of fig and herbs and peach skins. Limpid and luscious on the palate, that light figgy smokiness continues. There's a creaminess of texture here, the barrel-derived character and a weight of fruit cut by fine acidity. Bottled in December 2019. pH 3.30 and acidity 6.4 g/l.
(2021) A very different style from the Tayu 1865, with 14% alcohol as opposed to 12.5%, and more obvious barrel ageing - 14 months in barriques. Winemaker Matias Rios says that they are seeking delicacy more and more in their Pinot, helped by the cooling Humbolt current, though the climate of the Casablanca also allows roundness of tannins. Certainly more luscious and darker aromatically, dense sweet fruit, vanilla and chocolate a little floral lift. Fuller, rounder palate, again that sweet fleshy cherry fruit, smooth and silky to the finish with some spice and good cherry acidity.
(2021) One of the 'problems' people often cite with Alsace wines is that they do not know from the label whether the wine will be bone-dry or distinctly off-dry. Some producers have adopted numbering systems to indicate this, but still a wine like this, a Grand Cru, with a full 13.5% alcohol, I expected to be dry when in fact it is more like medium-sweet - a potential partner for light desserts as well as Chinese food and some creamier cheeses. It has Gewurz fragrance of rose petals and Nivea cream, and a oily, unctuous palate where ripe and sweet tropical fruit, plenty of sugar and spice, is met by acidity in the finish, to balance but not dry the final impression.
(2017) Though Beaune may be more familiar as a red wine, the appellation covers white wines too, in this case a blend from different Premier Cru parcels matured for around 10 months in oak, about 15% new. Oatmeal and almond toastiness at first, a hint of spice and modest apple fruit. In the mouth very good ripeness, lots of pear and apple, a hint of something orangey to the acidity, then the infill of the spices and wheatmeal and oatmeally oak again. Enjoyable, though perhaps a touch abrupt.
(2017) Fine, fruit-forward stuff with a Prosecco-like charm and easy drinkability. The delicacy of the wine is lovely, the fresh acids gleaming in the finish of a simple but fine first wine of the tasting.
