2021 Thomas Finot Crozes-Hermitage Blanc "Cuvee Anais"

100% Marsanne.

Stone fruit palate with almond, lanolin and hint of orange on a medium viscous complex finish.
Slight petrol note on citrus influenced nose.
This is a wow wine upon first taste and gets better with air. Paired beautifully with lobster bisque and Oysters Bienville.
Buy as much as you can IF you can find it.

Producer notes:
"..Thomas Finot, who is making fascinating wines in the Coteaux Grésivaudan in the Isère, makes a tiny quantity of Crôzes-Hermitage Blanc and Rouge. This beautiful Crôzes Blanc is from 100% Marsanne grown on the family's 1.8 hectare parcel of old vines in Larnage on a hillside with granite and limestone subsoils under interesting topsoils of white clay (kaolin). The Cuvée Anaïs is from a single parcel of the oldest vines...."

2007 Petrolo Galatrona

 100% Tuscan Merlot

I've had the pleasure of trying a couple of these over the past few weeks, and , wow! It's a stunner!

In the zone currently,  with plenty of stuffing to stay in peak form for another decade at least.

Really showing now at heights one comes to expect from another great Tuscan merlot, the SGN La Ricolma...

Two striking things are evident:
- dazzling purity of fruit and balance for such a rich vintage
- the mid-palate minerality that lays the foundation for the delicious fruit

Dark red fruit on the front end transitioning seamlessly with mocha-inflected complex, lengthy finish with blue fruit accents. 

This would go perfectly with a beautiful filet mignon. 

Burgundy, Barolo and Brunello Pizza Dinner

Three delightful wines paired with two homemade pizzas:

Pizza number one:
Marinara base, sweet sausage, hot sausage, kalamata olives, mushrooms, Provolone, Mozzarella.

Pizza number two:
Olive oil base, Swiss chard, caramelized onion, Proscuitto, Parmigiano, Gorgonzola, sunnyside up eggs.


2012 Pecchenino Barolo Bussia

Decanted and enjoyed over the course of the evening. First experience with this producer. Showing really nicely now, and will benefit from another 5 years or so in the cellar.
Elegant fruit up front supported by fine tannins,  serving up a gentle mouth-puckering finish. Of the three wines, this Barolo paired most favorably with the homemade pizzas we had for dinner.

2004 Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino

Presenting bold, robust fruit reflecting the nobility of this vintage, with mouthwatering acidity making the wine incredibly food friendly.  Will definitely benefit from another 5 to 7 years of cellaring. Almost as good of a match with the homemade pizzas as the Barolo.

1999 Nicolas Potel Savigny-les-Beaune

Double decanted (light sediment). Aged sour cherry with mellow acidity complemented by light sous bois notes. Fascinating development over the course of the evening as the wine gained presence with extended exposure to air. This ended up being a pleasure to drink as the fruit blossomed. I tried to determine which village-level climats were sourced for this 1999 bottling, but have not had any luck with that. 

2010 Domaine Jean-Marc and Hugues Pavelot Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru Les Narbantons

13% abv

Beautiful floral nose with an explosive palate of lingonberry and blood orange on a powerfully tart finish. Decanted to let it open up. Still a youngster, but currently in early window of approachability. This is an incredibly delicious wine that will surely benefit from another five-plus years of cellaring.

Always wondered why Leroy makes a wine from Les Narbantons, and now I understand why.

Paired scrumptiously with crabmeat and lobster stuffed ravioli.

A memorable red Burgundy... one of the best I've had in a while...

2016 Marie Courtin Eloquence Extra Brut

 

100% Chardonnay. Zero dosage,  I think.
The 100% Chardonnay bottling from Dominique Moreau is probably my least favorite of her portfolio. Zero dosage in this vintage results in an extremely dry palate that could be described as too severe.... lacks fruit expression... perhaps further aging will help (?)...
Paired with exquisite seared rare tuna belly.