Domaine de la Tournelle Fleur de Savagnin 2009

I was expecting a full on vin jaune style wine but this wine actually gets topped with fresh Savagnin in the barrel. Just have a look at the site below for more details.


Domaine de la Tournelle Fleur de Savagnin 2009

Hints of grilled nuts but it has more fruit than I was expecting. I don't research the wine until after I review the wine which makes for interesting tastings when things don't fit with my preconceived understanding of the styles. There is a huge amount of texture that fits perfectly with the flavours of caramelised grapefruit skin, crushed grilled nuts, pineapple, sweaty socks and mixed Asian spices. While the flavours lead the way there is a bright core of acidity and a glycerol style palate feel that balances out the wine brilliantly. All in all a wonderful beverage with many unique elements.

Alcohol: 13%
Price:
Rated: 92
Drink: Now or over the next 12 years
Importer: Eurocentric Wine

Domaine Tissot Selection 2008

Max Allen loves his wines from Jura as they offer something very unique.  The flavours of the wines from Jura are a mix between Sherry and aged Chardonnay which may make them a bit of a challenge for many people. Stephane Tissot is said to be the top producer from the region as he has some of the best vineyards within the region and he manages those vineyards using bio-dynamically practises. Once the grapes enter the winery, Stephane adheres to natural wine making practises which is another one of Max Allens favourite philosophies for producing interesting wines.

Domaine Tissot Selection 2008

I suggest that you leave this open for a day before you start tasting it as the flavours on the first day are pure Sherry.  Expect to see grilled nuts, lemon peel and sweet potpourri for 24 hours before a bit of Indian curry sets in with a lime wedge thrown in.  All I need now is some jasmine rice and I would have myself a meal. Even though I love the flavours of the wine, it is the texture that sets this part from your normal wine styles. Imagine crushing wax and quartz in a mortar and pestle and then drinking it. To quote Britney Spears 'oh baby baby'.

Alcohol: 13%
Price: $60
Rated: 90
Drink: You could drink it now but it will keep for a decade at least.
Importer: Heart & Soil

Jacques Puffeney Arbois Savagnin 2006

God I love the feel of these Jura bottles! They make me feel more like a man, and less like the women I am, when I hold them in my hand. You really need your thinking pants on when you are drinking this, as it challenges your senses.

Jacques Puffeney Arbois Savagnin 2006

I wanted to see how this handled my home made bacon so I sliced off a few chunks and fried them up.  Did it work? Brilliant to say the least. The flavours of the wine aren’t in your face, they reveal themselves over an extended period. To begin with there is almonds, smoky caramel, glazed ginger and lemon peel then after the bacon everything jumps up a notch.  A hint of peach pops out at me with the sumptuousness of the bacon lingering in my mouth, yet the wine seems to become a little tighter the longer I had it open.  The wine is more about texture, with a chalkiness that envelopes your mouth, rather than flavour. To finish with you get a bold acidity balance beautiful sweet notes.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Price: $70

Rated: 94+

Drink: 2014 – 2022