1997 Hugel Pinot Blanc "Cuvee Les Amours"

[ddf68]

Color me impressed. I found this $10-$12 bottle at the bottom of the SW bin and popped it open to accompany some spicy vegetarian chile. It's been in the cellar for almost two years and I was half expecting it to be over the hill. Instead, it has improved tremendously since I last had it 18 months ago.

Impressive nose with distinct aromas of banana, cinnamon, clove, and pure vanilla. Good texture, not quite thick enough to call creamy, with honeyed fruit flavors on the mid palate; there's just enough acid left to give it some crispness on the finish. Also, there's a mildly bitter flavor on the finish that I can't identify other than to say I get it a lot in Alsatian wines and I don't think it's petrol.

I've read plenty about the merits of aging Alsatian whites. This was a good lesson in just how far down the price ladder that advice goes.

ddf