2011 Cave Conrad Caloz, Humagne Rouge “La MourziĆ©re” Les Coteaux de Sierre Valais AOC, Switzerland.
The Humagne Rouge grape is rare and wildly exotic with high levels of tannic structure, it was thought to have been native to Valle D’Aoste in Alpine Italy, but where it is almost extinct, it is almost exclusive to Valais SWitzerland and there is less than 350 acres of it in total production. This varietal is also known as Cornalin, and or Cornalin d’ Aoste, but it is almost certain to be historically native to Switzerland, though it is sometimes confused with and even called Petit Rouge. Cave Caloz’s stunning expression of Humagne Rouge is one of the greatest alpine wines I’ve even tasted and is a remarkable wine of complexity, depth and with a hauntingly long aftertaste with rich almost a northern Rhone Syrah feel, but with racy red fruits instead of black/blue, this is gorgeous wine, pretty, detailed and with a velvet covered tannin grip. This poised red with thrill mountain wine fans, and for those that geek out on Jura and Savoie reds, it is time to get into Switzerland, and while the whites have impressed lately, as well as a few Gamay and Pinot Noir wines, this Swiss red with blow your mind. The sexy and seductive La Mourziere 2011 by Conrad Caloz, the King of the Mountain, starts with red currants, plum and wild berry fruits with morello cherry, candied cranberry and brambleberry as well, along with savory spice, earthy truffle, sage/herb, chalky stones and briar notes finishing with black olive, anise, strawberry liqueur and pepper notes. This is stylish medium bodied artisan wine from a talented winemaker and unique terroir, it offers a lot of detail, density and natural elements, I highly recommend finding this scarce gem, drink over the next 3 to 5 years, wonderful!
($42 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive