2013 Alzinger Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Steinertal - Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau (8/9/2020)
Medium light hay in color, how to describe this: elegant, medium intensity, savory notes, slightly green herbal notes, hints of umami, strong but well integrated acidity, so complex, intricate, sophisticated. Simply gorgeous wine.
I remember being very impressed with this on release, when it was much tighter, more austere, but showed the underlying intensity and complexity that is coming to the fore now, in its early adolescence. There are more savory notes now, and a rounder, more full bodied feel, and I suspect it will continue to improve for years to come. But man, is it good now. (95 pts.)
2019 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé - France, Provence, Bandol (8/7/2020)
Beautiful light salmon color, this has that amazing, explosive nose that this wine can have in its best years (and before those aromatics dissipate with time in bottle), orange melon, florals, light spicy garrigue; the palate is lush, floral, perhaps more fruit and a little less spice than in some years, impossible not to guzzle, that Tempier spice comes out more on the finish. If you love this form of the wine, as I do, this is a worthy contender to the all time best 2007, and wonderful 2012. If you’re one who likes to sit on this and let it age, I urge you to try one now to see it’s fabulous fresh side.
Revisit next day: everything is still here, but, as I was starting to notice a little later as I sipped on this last night, there is a definite sweet character to this vintage, showing some more obvious ripeness. Drink a little more chilled than you might normally. And, in my opinion, this is a vintage to drink young, I don’t see it holding very well, even into next year. (91 pts.)