2011 Pierre-Luc Leyvraz, St. Saphorin Grand Cru, Les Blassinges, Lavaux AC, Switzerland. (Chasslas)
This beautiful and textured Chasslas white from the hills above Lausanne in the UNESCO Old World Heritage site of Lavaux is a wonderful and complex wine that deserves much attention. This terraced terroir is unique and gives this wine exotic layers of flavor and good acidity and balance with soft lengthy mineral tones to along with vivid fruit and depth.These Chasslas vines on steep slopes overlook Lake Geneva, and the area enjoys a rare Mediterranean climate, warm temperatures and the reflection of the light from the lake. This Alpine wine shows loads of stone fruit, citrus and enjoys a steely cool mineral core while the texture is round and smooth with white peach, nectarine and green banana fruits with apricot flesh and pit adding character. The finish repeats the flavors on the palate, but has a nice lemon/lime tangy touch as well and a touch of mouthwatering saline to draw you back to another sip. This wine is pure class and while a rarity it should gain many fans. Imported by Charles Neal.
($26 Est.) 93+ Points, grapelive
