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Wine Notebook, Part 50 (September 19, 2008)
by the Wine Baron
The
Baroness and I had a meeting with Zoltan Szabo this
afternoon. I wanted him to taste the Chianti Governato
Hugh and I now have available, and he was pleased to
share the new Gretzky wine with us. The Gretzky was
pleasant and sophisticated. It's a bit tight right now
but some cellar aging will make it a nice wine. It's
from his Napa Valley venture.
We also
let the staff of the wine bar taste the gorgeous
Hiedler
Grüner Veltliner
Löss 2007
again since it is being featured this month. Everyone was very impressed with both. The Veltliner is a
hot wine these days and is often referred to as
Gru-Vee. And it was observed that the
Saint Croix du Mont
will be excellent compliment to
either starters or as the finish of a dining experience
(appetizer or dessert).
The
Chianti Governato wooed and charmed... notes below.
LE CHIANTIGIANE CHIANTI GOVERNATO 2006
DOCG
This
Italian wine has "old world elegance and charm"
according to Zoltan. It is vinified in the ancient Tuscan method,
in which very ripe grapes that are allowed to dry in the
vineyard are added to already fermented wine. This
starts a refermentation of the wine. It adds further
richness, complexity, body and character to the finished
product. Zoltan, the Baroness and I found it to be a charming
Chianti. It won us over more with each sip.
More about the
Gru-Vee: |
Weingut Hiedler Grüner
Veltliner
Löss 2007
An elegant and
refined wine with a full and fresh, fruity bouquet.
Slight buttery nose. Flavours of grapefruit rind,
soft tree fruit, spice and fresh honey with a clean
and creamy finish. Gentle mineral characteristics
that Kamptal is famous for. Amazing harmony. Stylish
liquid delight! As I savour the wine I remember
what Maria-Angeles Hielder told me just 4 weeks ago
in Austria about Hiedler's minimalist winemaking
philosophy: "When Ludwig makes a wine, he tells it
"Try for yourself - become what you are meant to
be." These words resounded with me, because this
wine has confidently become what it was destined to
become.
Our rating: 9 out of 10.
About the Kamptal region here |
More about the
Saint Croix du Mont: |
Chateau Montaunoir Sainte Croix du Mont 2004. A
superb and complex white dessert wine. It is
produced by Genevieve Ricard and husband Philippe
Durand. This wine has lovely viscosity , elegance
and complexity. Think of a Sauternes, but it’s made
across the river, with equally charming history and
winemaking experience. This wine has all the
interesting notes you might expect out of a very
fine sweet wine. Aromas of honey and apricot and
flavors of apricot, dried fruit and acacia - with
rich complexity. 70% semillon, 15% sauvignon blanc,
5% muscadelle.
Our rating: 9.5 out of 10. |
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