Tasting New Wines with Peter Weygandt

Thank Bacchus for Peter Weygandt. Not only does he import a wide array of hand-picked, terroir-driven wines, but he's a damn nice guy. Over the years I've tasted a lot of wines with Peter, and it never ceases to amaze me how much he knows about his wine. He's got an experienced yet nuanced palate and a great ability to communicate, so the tastings are always informative and fun.

On Saturday Peter had a few dozen bottles open at the shop. He already sells some of the wines, while others will soon be on the shelves. Like all of Peter's selections, those at the tasting demonstrated traditional characteristics and a sense of place. Here are some notes on a few of Weygandt's imports.

2010 Tenuta Adolfo Spada Fiano di Avellino - Italy, Campania, Fiano di Avellino
Nothing like a good Campanian white on a summer day. Floral and melon aromas. Melon rind on the palate, a bit of oiliness. Nice cut on the finish. As my buddy Truman said, "It's a sticky day wine." (86 pts.)

2011 Marc Plouzeau Sauvignon Touraine Les Devants de la Bonnelière - France, Loire Valley, Touraine
When I tasted this blind last week, I guessed it as a Sancerre. Aromas of lemons and minerals, but I also picked up just a hint of green onion this time. Lots of acid, minerals and a bit of brine on this one. For $15, this is such a good sauvignon blanc. (88 pts.)

2010 Weingut Dr. Siemens Riesling Scivaro - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Initially there was a bit of hay and herbs on the nose, but it shifted to show white flowers, apricot nectar and circus peanuts. The palate is zippy and full of minerals, backed up by ripe melon fruit. That 2010 acid carries the wine from start to finish. A really solid riesling for the price point. (89 pts.)

2011 Herdade do Sobroso Vinho Regional Alentejano Sobro - Portugal, Vinho Regional Alentejano
I was surprised by the vibrancy and personality of this Portugese white wine. Sweet peaches and cotton candy on the nose. But the palate isn't sweet or overripe, just full of lush pear and melon fruit. Acid sings the entire time, and the finish is laced with minerals. Great party wine. (87 pts.)

2010 Catherine et Pascal Rollet Pouilly-Fuissé Domaine de la Chapelle Aux Bouthières - France, Burgundy, Pouilly-Fuissé
Gorgeous, elegant nose of pear, yellow flowers and hints of hazelnut. The palate is full of acid, from start to finish, and mixed in there are flavors of sweet pear, honeydew melon and a hefty shot of minerals. Delicious. (90 pts.)

2010 Domaine Daniel et Denis Alary Vin de Pays de la Principauté d'Orange La Grange Daniel - France, Southern Rhône, Vin de Pays de la Principauté d'Orange
Honey, ripe peach and clover on the nose. The palate shows a lot of rich melon and apricot fruit, but balanced acid, and a hint of nougat. 100% roussanne. (87 pts.)

2008 Domaine David Clark Côte de Nuits Villages - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits Villages
I was very impressed with the way this wine showed. It was really open and expressive, not shut-down at all. Fragrant aromas of cherries, smoke and beef broth. The palate shows silky tannins, tangy acid and flavors of pure cherry fruit, smoke and earth. Very subtle toast on the finish. Overall, this is a really balanced and complex village wine. (90 pts.)

2011 Domaine les Aphillanthes Vin de Pays de Vaucluse - France, Southern Rhône, Vin de Pays de Vaucluse
Aromas and flavors of sweet cherries and cola. Simple, but quite yummy. (84 pts.)

2009 Domaine Canet-Valette Saint-Chinian Une et Mille Nuits - France, Languedoc, Saint-Chinian
I'm glad Weygandt Wines will be bringing this stuff in. I've been a fan of Canet-Valette since I tasted their wines when I was a 21-year-old wine newbie. It's been years since I've had one, and the 2009 Une et Mille Nuits was a great re-introduction. Very fragrant, showing black olives, smoke, and lots of plums and dates. The palate is packed with dates, plum skins and gritty tannins. The fruit is backed up with savory broth, smoke and black pepper. Long, complex finish. This begs for lamb. (90 pts.)

2008 Domaine Canet-Valette Saint-Chinian Le Vin Maghani - France, Languedoc, Saint-Chinian
Cavent-Valette's high-end bottling, the Maghani, deserves serious credit. Lovely Languedoc aromas of sheep farm, charcoal, pepper. There's also this lovely aroma that reminds me of a combination of fresh cherries and rhubarb. Incredible, complex nose that will only get better with time. The palate is so savory: bacon fat, grilled meat, charcoal, mixed with black cherries and cassis. The finish is seamless and silky. 91+. I imagine this will get better of the next three-to-five. (91 pts.)

2009 La Bastide Blanche Bandol - France, Provence, Bandol
Aromas of plums, smoke, graphite and beef broth. The palate is medium+ bodeid with grippy tannins. It tastes very young, and needs a decant at least, but more likely two years of time in the cellar. Brute flavors of grilled meats, iron, tobacco, along with hardcore plum. Very enjoyable, but this youngin' needs time. (89 pts.)