A Pet Nat named for the chalks of Champagne. There is a great story about Christoph Hoch and a bet he made with Benoit Tarlant about his ability to stabilize this wine. It’s a blend of mostly Gruner and Zweigelt with a wonderful chalky lemony chamomile flinty aroma. Hazy, different, and worth a try. — 4 years ago
This particular wine is an equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (based on ’04 and ’05 vintages) hailing from a single parcel of 65+ year old vines, originally planted by Louis and farmed organically, called ‘Les Crayons’ in Oeuilly. This wine underwent a wild ferment with substantial aging in oak, without malolactic conversion, helping to retain and showcase the grapes’ natural acidity.
The medium gold appearance speaks to a delicate exchange with oxygen from aging in oak. It had a medium(+) intensity of ripe golden delicious apples, bosc pear, dried white rose petals, almond paste, nougat, brioche, pastry, toast, wet stones, and lemon curd.
Even with zero dosage, this wine is opulent, retaining a firm backbone of acidity, creating tension and adding lift. It offers complexity and richness, a fine mousse, and a creamy mouthfeel.
It is sumptuously delicious! — 2 months ago
Chef Portay wine dinner — 4 years ago
J Choi
Rigamarole — a month ago