The Wine of the Year
The tasting panel met yesterday and we've come up with a unanimous decision.
This year's winner is the Emmanuel Houillon/Pierre Overnoy Savignin Vieilles Vignes Ouillé 2000!
Savignin Grapes from the Houillon/Overnoy Estate.
This is not a Vin Jaune, but is a Savignin without the voile from three constantly topped-off barrels which were aged for nearly seven years.
Frankly, this was one of the most profound wine experiences I have had in years. I love using the word profound when describing wines. The wine revealed instense Savignin characteristics, but with astonishing freshness and precision. I love using the word revealed when writing tasting notes.
OK, there were almonds, there were leaves, there was honey, there was rocks, there was savignin fruit. Lots and lots of savignin fruit. The wine constantly shifted, moving left, moving right, refusing to be pinned down. I know I'm supposed to write about all the other fruits this reminded me of, but the only fruit which kept coming to mind was the Savignin grape grown in limestone, picked at maturation and raised without sulphur for seven years.
This wine has not yet been imported to America and very little will arrive here. It will be expensive, although considerably cheaper than 2005 Musigny from Roumier.
To view an interesting video showing how the judges came to their decision, please click on the link below:
Wine of the Year Deliberations
return to: Joe Dressner The Wine Importer
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