Thursday, December 28, 2023

What Did We Drink For Christmas?

 My Christmas was quite small in scope and the wines were mostly disappointing.

A Pipers Brook Late Disgorged Sparkling was fine, but not very distinctive. The Tyrell’s Vat 47 was better, quite traditional with a nice peachy mouthfeel. On the red front, I was disappointed by two different Mataros (see post below). I then needed something special. I opened a 2009 Robert Chevillon 1er cru Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Vaucrains. The fruit profile was fine, but nothing special. I enjoyed the silky finish.

What did you drink over Christmas? Get on the board! I would like some American or European contributions, too.

4 comments:

kr1 said...

Would you believe it if I said that it was a dry christmas!?!
no wines consumed this year, christmas was a muted affair, although the plan is to make up for that over New Year's.

Alontin said...

Wow!

Anonymous said...

I opened a Charles Heidsieck NV Brut Reserve for NYE, laid down in 2018 & disgorged in 2022. The acid showed through without being overt, while the citrus, rind and apple was very enjoyable. The length was excellent.
Tempted to buy a couple more for the cellar.

Zamantan said...

Not as much on Christmas per se. On the day a cheapy Mandrossa Frappato which remained fairly solid though the Lamoresca Nerocapitano is probably the best expression I've tried even over Cos. Also enjoyed a Claus Presinger Fruit Loops blend which was surprisingly tame for an Austrian natural wine white blend but still decent.

Other highlights over the holidays - Savaterre Chardonnay '21 - taken too young but delicious, all grilled cashew/peach/nectaine but will probably peak in a few more years tbf. Farr Cote Vineyard '17 not quite a thunderous pinot but wonderful balance, fruit mix and elegance, again probably peaking in a couple more years when those tertiary notes develop. That said, copnstantly evolving over the night. Arpepe Sassella '17 was also a highlight. Nebbiolo yes but so different to Barolo/Barbaresco and wonderful for it. Not natural cork so should be no TCA issues either which is a definite plus!

As an aside it's interesting the fondness for natural cork in Italy where I've found a few duds still unfortunately. Fletcher does Diam 30 for his Barbaresco which I appreciate and have seen other closures like NDcork from Arpepe too. Gives you a bit more confidence on cellarability imo!