Grapelive Wine of the Day
By Kerry Winslow
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2010 Evening Land Vineyards Bourgogne Blanc (Chardonnay) France.
This year’s Bourgogne Blanc is in my opinion light years better and fresher than the prior vintage and much more interesting with bright flavors and cool mineral tones that ooze elegance and life. I would also say the wine doesn’t show the sulphur notes the 2009 did and the use of neutral wood allows the Chardonnay to shine more fully in the 2010 version giving an almost Chablis like charm, but with true Beaune depth. This is a darn good White Burgundy with citrus, green apple, pear and yellow peach layers, wet stones, golden fig and hints of tropical essences. The full malo gives body, but crisp and tangy acidity lifts this pretty Chardonnay and everything is balanced and as it should be. I guess now I’m a believer and I recommend this wine whole-heartedly!
Evening Land Vineyards and the talented Christophe Vial, the long time winemaker at Domaine des Comtes Lafon with the famed Dominique Lafon have crafted three little beauties that have just been released here in the States from the 2010 vintage. These Burgundies (Bourgogne Blanc, Rouge and Etoile-Pouilly-Fuisse) offer generous fruit, class and vibrancy while the price could hardly be more fair, making these wines stunning values. While the great talents and personalities of Evening Land Vineyards continue to impress the wine world with the likes of Dominque Lafon, Larry Stone, Raj Parr, Sashi Moorman and Isabelle Meunier, it is great to see the product get better with each year!
($30 Est.) 92+ Points, grapelive
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