Just some quick tasting notes on my 2 favourite wines this weekend
1982 Auxey Duresses 1er Cru Les Duresses Dom. Potinet Ampeau
Love this wine from one of my favourite, largely unknown Burgundian producers. This 28 year old 1er Cru from, one of the not exactly stellar appellations of the area, is in great condition (5 or 6 bottles now and all have been tip top old son - we had one on new years eve if you can remember that far back) and drinking absolutely lovely now - no idea how much longer it has to go but knowing the generally outrageous longevity of this producers wines I would'nt hold my breath. Obviously not decanted this is fully mature, very light with a slight browning hue but stlill a lovely vibrancy, it has a classic old school Burgundy nose lots of lovely intense tertiary notes gamey, savoury, smoky bacon fat meaty yum - very powerful for such a light bodied wine - palette is delicate, feminine complete and in great harmony, balanced acidity satisfyingly long finish and how you hope great old burgundy should look - and at a fraction of the price of the wines from the glitterati of the region - If you can find it, or any other wine from this Domaine you need to buy it.
2003 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico "I,Quadretti", La Giaretta
This wine (Corvina blend with Rondinella and Molinara, not sure of %) is simply gorgeous, after decanting nose is immediately appealing, warm forward and very generous, stewed raisins, black cherries and chocolate, sweet and a little spicy - on the palette broad mouth filling and a beautifully balanced wine, full body with refreshing acidity, velvety texture and very long, this is a big wine but is so well balanced not a hint of jammy fruit or the high alcohol (15.5% - and yes dear Yankee friends this is very high) - this is still quite young and wrapped in primary fruit characteristics with the oak (French) still a little in evidence, so would love to see this wine later in life but really an absolute pleasure now. This is the top of the range single vineyard wine from the La Giaretta Estate so not exactly cheap but no where near some of the eye-wateringly expensive other top Amarone producers so well worth a look. One more time - really, really lover-ly.
Fatboy - point of order I cant find how to change my Top 5 of the moment - kindly refresh my alcohol sodden memory
Posted by: Nahthern | Sunday, 28 February 2010 at 07:56