Everything Wine — 5 years ago
California white Burgundy of the highest class. Bottle #2174 of reported 102 barrels. Still lively with prominent acidity in its 14th year. Flavors of hazelnut, cashew, pineapple, lime, granite and orange. Spicy wood flavors. Fabulous depth and power balanced by verve and delicacy. Could be at its height of complexity while showing aging colors and the beginning of matured flavors — 5 years ago
The higher alcohol content of this wine made this slightly more bitter than I would like, but still quite good! Very good value. — 2 years ago
Very pale lemon. Soft citrus notes with a hint of ginger - also mineral. On the palate lemon citrus and touch of mandarin as well as a small amount of residual sweetness but definitely dry at 11.5% ABV. Central Otago known for its fleshy Pinot Noir but the Riesling and Chardonnay are very good as well. Tried another bottle 102 weeks later on 9th February 2022 with consistent notes - chalky, tart with citric acid. Not bad - needs more volume. Will probably fill out with more time in the cellar. Tasted another bottle on 1st August 2022. Interesting to see how this wine is maturing. Developing some paraffin/kerosene notes but not unpleasant. A trace of residual sweetness amongst the mellowing citrus notes. Riesling like Chardonnay are largely under rated in New Zealand compared to the Savalanche!! — 5 years ago
13.5% ABV Salute to Lulu Peyraud of Domaine Tempier in France. Lulu’s father owned the vineyard , and she along with her husband took it over. Sadly we lost her in October 2020 at the age of 102 y/o. This is a blend of old vine Mataro and Grenache. Light salmon color, watermelon initially , later apple. Very nice! — 3 years ago
From 102 year old vines in the center of Pommard. This is, next to the Rugiens, the top wine of the estate. Sick nose. What a nose. So deep. So pure. Smoke, ripe cherry, huge minerals. Stoney. It needs 15 minutes I think. Wow. This is a beast. Massive fruit and structure. This is even more imposing than Rugiens. Massive power and concentration and fruit sap. This is incredible BUT I’ll be back to upgrade as this needs mega air.
UPDATE on day 2 - brooding nose. Stoney, deep dark cherries, blackberry, black cherry, raspberry, savory and meaty, palate is massive and sweet with stunning juiciness and real persistence and tannins cut like a swath. Awesome, complex and deep. Needs 5 years.
— 5 years ago
Neal Ferry
Perfect for a 102 degree day — a year ago