I haven't penned a review for a while, it usually takes a wine of distinction to float my dinghy
, by distinction I mean utter drinkability. Two sets of circumstances inspired this: the first was being gifted a bottle of Sauternes by fellow aficionado of the grape
@Rug and the other being an interview on RN with Richard Fidler with John Baker of Stalin's Wine Cellar fame.
Finding Stalin's wine cellar Now admittedly Baker bangs on about the lofty status of Chateau D'Yquem (quite rightly) but there are other standout Sauternes like Chateau Suduiraut to tempt the palate but I find that even those assigned to
Deuxième cru classé (second growth) are frequently superb.
I finally opened Rug's bottle of 2010 Chateau Filhot last night after bringing it up to the kitchen from the cellar/woodshed downstairs (no chilling required with temps down there being unseasonally low). It has a light, gold-tinged, amber appearance in the glass revealing its eleven years of aging, on the palate it is decidedly luscious, delectable and concentrated. Liqueur apricots, elderflower blossom, crystallised citrus, floral honeyed notes, lemon zest, peach fuzz, and balanced with excellent acidity, a perfect pairing with a lush rain-soaked Spring, I'm savouring a glass each night post-opening and loving the fact that these wines can happily sit around thoroughly chilled in the fridge for days without losing any of their freshness...