Two wines

[Florida Jim]

2000 Earl Alain Michaud, Brouilly Cuvee Prestige VV:

Distinct gamay scents mixed with black fruit, iron and spice notes/

Flavors are mostly black fruit with accents of spice, earth and iron-mineral elements, almost brooding and still a bit tight, intense and concentrated, perfect balance/

Long finish.

Only the gamay on the nose gives any hint this is Beaujolais. A powerhouse of flavor and focus. Needs a year or two, I think (maybe more).

Imported by Becky Wasserman.

1997 Jaboulet, Hermitage La Chapelle:

Day one: somewhat closed on both the nose and palate but clearly Hermitage, dense, great balance and deeply flavored. Day two: more open with raw meat scents, minerality and very expansive red and black fruit aromas; also more open on the palate but still focused, marrowy and dense, layered flavors (especially, black cherry), hidden structure, vinous and concentrated; very long finish.

Despite a refined and graceful mouthfeel, the flavors tend to the indelicate exhibiting depth and latent power. An integrated but intricate wine that is both intellectually interesting and savory; delicious. Imported by Frederick Wildman.

Aside:

Recent vintages of La Chapelle have been much less interesting to me and not made in the same style as this wine. The ’97 harkens back to earlier vintages that were packed with raw flavor and were, for lack of a better word, more authentic. This wine certainly gives the impression that it was made in the vineyard, not in the winery. An excellent wine now and for many years to come.

Best, Jim