As you may know, Diane and I spend 6+ months in FL and 5+ months in CA.
We drive back and forth with essentials in our pick-up and, along the way, spend time with friends.
This past November when we left CA, we had no idea what was coming and, as usual, packed about 25 cases of wine to bring south. A couple from our cellar and the rest our Cowan Cellars library wines. That amount usually lasts for our time in FL with some for friends, parties and ourselves.
But because we have extended our stay due to virus concerns, we ran out. So I have been ordering in old favorites from various internet purveyors.
Here are some thoughts about those:
2017 Vissoux, Fleurie Poncie - soft, fresh nose of red fruit, lightweight and juicy in the mouth and a finish which prompts another sip. Youthful, lively and clearly, Fleurie.
2015 Vissoux, Brouilly Pierreux - darker and more muscular on the nose and palate with some richness of texture and good length. A riper and more serious wine but not without charm.
2017 Louis Michel, Chablis Montee de Tonnerre - intense, flinty, complex and somewhat closed. Should be exceptional with a few years although quite nice now. Chardonnay, my way.
2017 Louis Michel, Chablis Sechet - glorious now! Should you be fortunate to find a bottle in your cave, don’t hesitate. Everything Chablis should be.
2014 Louis Michel, Chablis Vaudesir - still tight but becomes more generous with decanter time and delivers a Grand Cru experience. More earthy than floral, at the moment.
2016 Louis Michel, Chablis Vaillons - a touch lactic (which I don’t care for) but solid Chablis in a fleshier vein.
2018 Luneau-Papin, Muscadet Clos de Allees - the green label is gone and the bottle must be half again as heavy but the wine is still a singular version of Melon and takes me back to picnics in the mountains. Submerge it in a fast flowing stream for 30 minutes and your drinking the essence of cool.
2018 Vincent, Pinot Blanc Tardive - finds that balance between concentration and freshness that keeps me thinking about quaffing but sipping rather than gulping. A grape I don’t pay much attention to but this is worth a taste. D loves it.
2018 Vincent, Chardonnay Tardive - needs to warm to almost room temp before it opens and, when it does, it’s as close to Chablis as Oregon can make. Lovely wine with a lot of potential.
‘No idea when or even if, we’ll head west this year but for now, the wine rack is happy and so are we.
Stay safe, jim