Albert Bichot Aligote Chatillon en Diois
'96--Very nice aromas, with floral and
mineral scents. Interesting somewhat tart pear flavors, but also a
slight note of canned peaches.
B
Albert Bichot Chablis '96--Very tight, slightly tart peach and pear flavors.
Long, elegant finish, with a good hit of acid. I think this will be
better with some age, but it is pretty good now with a little
air.
B+
Albert Bichot Chardonnay Vin de Pays d'Oc
'97--Interesting floral notes, but
modest pear flavors ring hollow on the palate.
B-
Albert Bichot Pouilly Fuisse
'95--Maderized. There are some good
flavors underneath the terrible oxidation, but that isn't enough.
This wine was quite disturbing to me. Why? When I mentioned the
oxidation to the rep (fearing that he was pouring from a bad bottle),
he indicated that he knew the problem, but that it "was the end of an
allocation, and the '96's will be coming out soon." Now, I don't
think that there is any excuse for a '95 Burgundy to be maderized at
this point in time, and I really don't think they should have poured
it, knowing the problem. However, he went on to point out that people
had been complementing them on the wine and asking for information
all day. And, while I was at the table, two people did just that.
Incredible.
F
Dopff au Moulin Gewurztraminer Alsace
'96--Roses and other flowers on the
intense nose along with some wet stones. Unfortunately, as in many
wines from this grape, the palate doesn't quite deliver all the nose
promises. Still, some good peach and floral notes with a peachy spicy
finish.
B
Dopff au Moulin Riesling Alsace
'96--Very tight, with little nose. Very
dry with lemon flavors predominating, and a slightly sour acid
finish. Not an appealing drink, at least right now.
B-
Perrin Chateauneuf du Pape Les Simards
'96--Earthy, earthy, earthy nose. Some
modest cherry flavors to go along with the tar and earth. Not bad,
but not great.
B
Trimbach Gewurztraminer Alsace
'95--Very nice rose petal and lychee
nose, with plenty of peach and wet stone flavors following through in
the mouth. Unexpectedly good clean bracingly acidic finish.
B+
Trimbach Pinot Gris Reserve Alsace
'96--A bit shy on the nose, but
graceful, smooth grapefruit and peach flavors abound on the palate. A
nice uncomplicated wine for easy drinking.
B
Trimbach Riesling Cuvee Frederic Emile
'93--Nice big nose of apple, mineral
and floral notes. Round and not-too-acidic in the mouth, with citrus
and mineral flavors. A very long, refined aftertaste fleshes out a
big, yet elegant wine.
A-
Vranken Champagne '89--Leesy aromas, along with some apple, pear, and
grapefruit. An elegant, lean sparkler, with restrained fruit flavors
and a nice, cleansing finish.
B+
For more wines from France, please see the notes from the Hugel Seminar.
Email questions, corrections or
comments.
Copyright 1999 Marcel Lachenmann.
All rights reserved.