2019 Elena Walch Beyond The Clouds

 This is drinking ridiculously well right now ... delightful in fact...

Mostly Chardonnay with some Gewurztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc. 

Producer notes:
"...All varieties get crushed and pressed together after which they also ferment together in new French oak barriques. Part of the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation, after which it is matured for another 10 months in barrique with lees being regularly stirred up. The finished wine is bottle aged for at least 6 months before being released...."

Lovely citrus nose. The Gewurztraminer adds a succulent pineapple note to the very refined palate. Viscous but with fine acidity. Oak is very, very well integrated. 

Drank on its own without food. Disappeared immediately. Just bought some more...

Vineyards near Lago di Caldaro in Alto Adige region..

2015 Marie Courtin Eloquence Extra Brut

 A very nice vintage for the wines of Dominique Moreau. The Eloquence cuvee is all chardonnay (no dosage) from vineyards in the Côte des Bar. Tellingly, it exhibits savory chablis - like character.

 

2018 Nals Margreid Pinot Bianco Sirmian

 

Irresistible pinot bianco character... slightly oily texture with wonderfully elegant spiciness complementing lemony fruit. Needs more time for the finish to flesh out. Lovely wine, yet not quite at the level of complexity one finds in Terlano Vorberg Riserva...

  

2002 Lopez de Heredia Rioja Vina Tondonia Reserva

 I very much enjoyed this vintage on release, and it is holding up very well. An elegant Tondonia and outstanding for the vintage. Dusky black fruit with fully resolved tannins. Delicious notes of spice and leather. Transports me back to visiting this regal old guard winery in Haro years ago. This is a library release, I believe. 

1993 Louis Jadot Beaune Chouacheux

 This is why we drink Burgundy 👍🍷

Subtle florals, with a hint of funk that blew off after 10 minutes or so. Showing very well with black cherry palate wrapped in sour pomegranate knit together with filigreed tannins. Decanted and gained serious presence over a few hours.  Wonderful acidity paired well with beef, pork & veal stuffed ravioli.