Au Bon Climat 100% Mondeuse!

[VouvrayHead]

2001 Cuvee Sarah- Santa Barbara County Mondeuse Reserve Cuvee. 13.5% $18

A wine store in St. Louis had this bottled just for them, I don't think it's available anywhere else, so I couldn't pass on an opportunity to try it! Opened the bottle a couple of hours ago.

Beautiful color. Deep dark scarlet but still somewhat translucent.
Smells terrific--a bit hot, but strong clay and earth notes with some floral tones and raspberry liquer underneath.
In the mouth it starts out very ice, though not at all like the nose. Medium-bodied and pretty silky in feel, it's got tart cherry on the front and some dark fruit with good intensity, but it disjointedly leads to some grassiness, and a short-medium length slightly bitter finish (with a bit of chocolate to be fair).

It's not very good, but I'm really glad I got to try it, and I can see why he blends some of this in with many of his pinots. A lot of character on the nose and good body, and a mouthfeel that certainly won't get in the way of pretty pinot.

Just thought some of ya'all would be interested!



[This message has been edited by VouvrayHead (edited 02-20-2006).]

[Thomas]

Vouvrayhead,

If you come across a Refosco (Italian wine from Friuli) try it. It is the same grape as Mondeuse--the Italian version of the wine is usually quite a treat.

[brappy]

And yet again, another grape I've yet to taste.....

[Thomas]

Don't feel bad--there are hundreds of them, and I'm still missing one or two...

[Innkeeper]

ABC are not the only ones doing it in CA. Tobin James slipped a Refosco into their shipment about a year ago. Planning to pop it later this year.