A few thoughts from the Massanois Imports Portfolio Tasting

I knew I had to be at this tasting, if only to meet with Constantine Richter again. When we visited the Weingut Max Ferd Richter in late September of 2017 - we had the chance to taste through some of these wines. I must say that the extra few month have helped them already, but they will really shine with a few years of age. This “little” beauty - the Elisenberg Kabinett - was really showing its stripes. Delicious cranberry and cherry tones amid the bright notes of citrus and mineral. hints of ginger and herb on the back and finish. Excellent indeed! Constantine also poured the 2007 Muelheimer Sonnenlay Spatlese Feinherb - now this is where 10 years of aging really shows the power of Riesling. with a hint of the orange flower note on the nose (some botrytis) the wine was peach, mirabelle and mint. Still young but reaching into maturity. light and bright - a perfect afternoon in a bottle.

Who needs a whole label? These bottles speak for themselves! Especially the 2009 Karthäuserhof Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Riesling Großes Gewächs. Rich, creamy mid of white peach and sweet herb, minerality and acidity giving it the right boost and power, this is ready to jump off the shelf! Excellent example of Ruwer riesling. Hanging out with the Karthäuserhof team can be a lot of fun indeed - it really was a pleasure to finally meet in person! (And the Mascot is adorable as well!) Oh, and let’s not forget the 2016 Karthäuserhof Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Riesling Spätlese. Herbs, yellow peaches, even apricot in the mid, showing the riper side of the vintage, but then - the elegance and the minerality kick in - covering the cream and the tropical notes. Give this one some time though - a classic in the making.

What can I say - when white burgundy is made right…it is just irresistible. And six generations is clearly enough time to get it right! Domaine Michelot wines were simply stunning in their elegance. The Michelot Meursault 2015 was full of white flowers, with the lithe, mineral-driven body and a zest to the finish. A beauty. 2015 Domaine Michelot Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrières - a ballerina, elegant but with the structure and power to to dance circles around any stage. hint of smoked salt over mineral and floral notes… long finish. simply stunning

Here was an intriguing wine indeed! 2015 Chateau la Naude - typical Bordeaux, with bright red fruit, great acidity and tannins, lovely notes of tobacco leaf. with a few years this would be a lovely dinner companion!

It was a pleasure to meet Daniele Dellanoce, representing Giovanni Rosso . A truly classic collection of Baroli, especially the chewy, mineral driven 2013 Giovanni Rosso Barolo Cerretta. Pretty flowers (roses dominating) and loads of red fruit in this bright young wine. simply delicious, though does want some time. The Giovanni Rosso Ester Canale Vigna Rionda Lange 2015 is elegant, but serious, powerful but light… full of fruit, yet crunchy and bright… If it sounds like a contradiction - try it. Or - find it first?

Have you had a day where you wanted something Unique (capital U), off-the-wall, delicious in ways you never expected wine to be? Welcome to Sardinia, via Tenute Dettori. The whole lineup is worth a visit, but my favorite was the 2012 Dettori, made from 100% Cannonau. 100 year-old vines, cement tanks. think of Rhone, but brighter, fresher, with more red fruit and a grip that lasts into the spicy long finish. This is a wine to contemplate. And to love.