Notes

[Florida Jim]

2004 Foillard, Morgon Côte du Py:

Not as unpleasant as a recent ‘04 Breton, Morgon VV, but close with a stemmy, candied nose and flavor profile and little concentration; ‘makes me think Morgon’s fruit did not get ripe in 2004.

(Tried again several days later and found it stemmy and flabby.)

2004 Kuentz-Bas, Alsace:

Reminds of Hugel’s Gentil (a blend) in overall flavor profile but this wine comes across cleaner with more purity. A ripe, luscious little wine at a nice little price (about $10).

2001 Prà, Soave Classico Monte Grande:

Mineral infused, citrus nose with a very slight touch of smoke; almost salty minerality across the palate with complex lemon drop, stone and unripe pineapple flavors, concentrated, intense, balanced and a very long, peppery finish. Showing youthful exuberance yet still a bit closed; more about terroir than the variety. Damn good wine.

1999 Prager, Chardonnay Smaragd Weissenkirchen:

“And now for something completely different;” this wine says more about its origins than about the variety with high-toned, mineral aromatics reminiscent of riesling; crisp in the mouth with resinous notes on a texturally smooth, viscous, white fruit driven palate that has strong acids and is a bit tart, intense, concentrated and focused; long, tart finish. One very different chardonnay (I can think of no good comparison from chardonnays produced worldwide), showing young yet lip-smackingly delicious with chicken and white beans. Not for everyone and certainly not something to serve a non-geek chardonnay drinker.

2001 Dom. Bouchard Père & Fils, Volnay Caillerets – Ancienne Cuvée Carnot:

Wild strawberry, earth and cherry nose; the same flavors on a firm, structured but silky palate that is linear, intense and balanced; medium length, structured finish. Pretty tight and ungiving at present and showing more like a Pommard than a Volnay; needs a decade in the cellar and I have no doubt those years will be rewarded.

Best, Jim