Alain Hudelot Noellat, Nuits Saint Georges Murgers

Alain Hudelot Noellat, Nuits Saint Georges MurgersAn exceptionally ripe nose displays a port like nuance on the spicy and earthy dark raspberry and cassis suffused nose. There is better freshness on the palate along with excellent richness and concentration to the powerful and mouth coating middle weight plus flavors that deliver fine length on the very firm finale. This is impressive in its fashion though its a bit too ripe for me.

all wrapped in a lingering finish that presently displays a hint of an edge that may or may not ever round off

Gains weight and structure with air and finishes with outstanding power and focus

savory character to the red fruit and balsamic flavors

The 2005 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape blanc

chiseled but fleshy

All three Châteauneuf cuvées from Christophe Sabon are exemplary

One of the highlights in this range

a touch of patisserie

but the purity of the fruit is impossible to miss even at this early stage

Their vintage ports seem slow to develop

harmonious and mouth coating finish

This is not especially structured and comes across as fine rather than its usual robust character