These wines have been hard to find, as nasty weather (mosty hail, from what I recall) has greatly reduced production the last few vintages. I’m not a huge fan of the Cap o Sud negoce wines, so the last real memory I have of Dutraive is the 2015s, which I recall being slightly hotter than normal, but immensely pleasurable.
Man, these wines taste and smell totally different to my memory of them. The nose is really volatile, giving it a lifted, floral, almost Banyuls vinegar-like sensation. I get a strong note of dill pickle on the nose, which I always get with the Pierre Olivier Bonhomme wines from the Loire. Way more “natty” than I recall.
The color is incredibly light garnet and slightly cloudy.
The palate is al tart red fruit: cranberry, raspberry, and tart cherry. Almost no tannin to speak of, and really pleasing acidity. at 14.1, there is a light hint of heat, but not so much that it sticks out.
Overall, the wine is incredibly enjoyable. Again, may more on the “natty” end of the spectrum than I recall the wines being, but certainly not in a bad way. The nose really reminds me of the Radikon reds (lifted, floral, volatile), and the palate reminds me a lot of Metras Fleurie. Definitely not a bad thing.