2011 Les Fils de Charles Trosset, Arbin Mondeuse Harmonie Cuvee, Vin de Savoie, France.
This rare treat from Trosset is lovingly imported to the States by Charles Neal, in fact we are lucky at all to see this vintage and Mr. Neal was able to talk Trosset to give him 30 cases for all of the USA! So glad he did as this is a wonderful example of Mondeuse in it’s purest form from the alpine French region of Savoie and is ultra cool and delightful. This floral and spicy red from the hills across the valley from Chignan shows terroir and lively acidity with racy red pepper/cayanne along with cherry, strawberry and poached plum layers with flashes of walnut oil, lavender and earth. The 2011 Trosset is light to medium bodied with silky refined tannins and savory elements and mineral notes, but with bright fruitiness and a nice lingering finish. This is a fine and polished effort from a true artisan producer, and while super now, it should develop and fill out a bit over the next few years, drink now through 2018. Rare, stylish and very, dare I say, groovy and chic? This is fun stuff that you should try, search it out now, as it will disappear quick.
($25 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
Avail at www.sfwtc.com ($24.95)