Awards and citations:


1997: Le Prix du Champagne Lanson Noble Cuvée Award for investigations into Champagne for the Millennium investment scams

2001: Le Prix Champagne Lanson Ivory Award for investdrinks.org

2011: Vindic d'Or MMXI – 'Meilleur blog anti-1855'

2011: Robert M. Parker, Jnr: ‘This blogger...’:

2012: Born Digital Wine Awards: No Pay No Jay – best investigative wine story

2012: International Wine Challenge – Personality of the Year Award




Saturday 13 December 2014

Couple of Vouvrays: 2011 Pinon and 1990 Aigle Blanc

2011 Silex Vouvray François Pinon

Two fine Vouvrays we have enjoyed recently. The first 2011 Silex from François Pinon (Louis Dressner profile), one of Vouvray's best producers. This bottle was part of a gift from Sopexa for having suggested three wines from their Abolutely Cracking Wines from France. The 2011 Silex Noir has weight with an attractive mineral character with good length making this is a lovely balanced wine although still young. We enjoyed it firstly as an apéro and then with some cheese. It should continue to improve over the next 20 to 30 years.  


1990 Aigle Blanc, Vin de Tris, Vouvray Moelleux
Prince Poniatowski

This was the second wine of Prince Philippe Poniatowski. From a very good vintage, this is decidedly sweet. The estate's top wines are from the famous Clos Baudoin vineyard, just above his house and winery. This gently sloping vineyard faces south overlooking the little Vallée de Nouy. Unlike vineyards like Le Mont and the Clos du Bourg that are on the première côte, instead is set further back away from the Loire

Despite a little seepage as as the label shows, the level was good. Like many 1990s, which took on colour very quickly – much more rapidly than the 1989s that have usually remained pale in comparison, this is mid golden edging caramel coloured. Rich, opulently honeyed with considerable length, this is a wine for sipping. Although delicious because of its richness I'd find it difficult to drink more than a glass or so at one sitting. However, firmly stoppered it will last a good week in fridge.

We decided to open it because of the seepage. However, but for this, we could have kept this bottle for at least several more decades. 

In 2002 Prince Poniatowski started renting his vines to François Chidaine, who then bought the estate in 2006.    

   

No comments: