AJ McClellan
2006 Boncristiani Cream Label Cabernet Sauvignon – Ripe black berry and plum with overripe boysenberry and dry tobacco. There was a subtle hint of green coco on the finish as well as massive tannins; this is a real teeth stainer. Great for a big bold in your face Cab.
2007 Simonnet Febvre Saint-Bris Sauvignon Blanc – This is the only region in Burgundy that is allowed to grow Sauvignon Blanc and they do it very well. Pineapple and grapefruit up front with great acidity and a pleasant crushed white rock minerality; this is a great everyday sipper.
NV Simonnet Febvre Cremant de Bourgogne – Sparkling wine from Burgundy, how fun! Light stone peach and pear skin with a slight yeastiness and zingy acidity. Perfect for enjoying on the porch on a beautiful summer day.
NV Simonnet Febvre Cremant de Bourgogne Rose – light cherry and subtle roses on the nose, the palate is pure strawberries and cream backed by a bold minerality and great acidity. Great easy drinking sparkler that goes down a little too easy.
2008 Simonnet Febvre Chablis – Lemongrass and stone fruit with a tropical backing mixed with summer flowers and a crisp limestone minerality. Another easy drinking wine – poolside lemonade.
2008 Simonnet Febvre Vaillons 1er Chablis – very crisp with a lemon / lime zest and pineapple on the back. The minerality was there, and while the wine had plenty of acidity it was lacking the razor like crispness that I love in a great Chablis.
2007 Simonnet Febvre Les Clos GC Chablis – Surprisingly one of the first things I got off this wine was Roasted vanilla bean from the French oak aging that this wine received, while a few Chablis producers use oak the majority does not. White flowers and lemon peel with a slight green apple twang on the back. The oak aging rounded out the wine and added some white pepper and hints of cooking spice.
2007 Louis Latour Vignes Franches 1er Beaune – I always enjoy red wines from the Beaune, when done right they can express finesse and elegance like few other wines can. Spicy cherry cobbler and ripe watermelon with a light red currant and gripping minerality on the nose. The palate was complex with layers of spider silk intertwined so expertly that at first glance one would think that it was all one thread until you take the time to dissect it and discover the wonders that are hidden in the mix.
2008 Louis Latour Sous le Puits 1er Puligny Montrachet – Pear pith and green apple with limestone and toasted vanilla beans. Slight spice and quince with a hint of wild flowers in the background.
2008 Louis Latour Cailleret 1er Chassign Montrachet – Much more of a clean style with white peach and pink roses on the nose. The palate had a nice acidity but not huge, the finish consisted of a floral display and hints of slatey minerality.
2008 Louis Latour Corton Charlamagne GC – Now this is a wine, almonds and walnuts with blooming honeysuckles and toasty popcorn on the nose. The palate was robust with slate and limestone minerality as well as apricot and juicy peaches playing on the back. The finish was long and reminded me of spring.
2008 Louis Latour Batard Montrachet GC – Oh how I love Montrachet, with lemongrass and summer flowers up front and a lightness of body that allowed the wine to float on the palate this was my favorite wine of the flight. Green apple, lemon pith, and butterscotch on the back end and a lemon / lime finish of crisp acidity.