A week ago, the Walla Walla Sons of Bacchus (SOBs for short) convened for a blind tasting of Grand Cru White Burgundies. The appellation essentially comprises of Corton Charlemagne, Le Montrachet and its hypenated adjacent vineyards (e.g. Batard-Montrachet) and Chablis Grand Cru. There were three flights. The top wines in each flight were:

2009 Corton-Charlemagne, Remoissenet Pere & Fils

1996 Batard-Montrachet, Domaine Jean-Noel Gagnard

2004 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur, Domaine Wm. Fevre

 

The overall caliber of the wines was high, which is to be expected of Grand Crus. A couple of older wines (1998 and 2005) were oxidized, giving the lie to Burgundians' claim that their whites can be aged 20 years or more. Not always. On the other hand, the 1996 Batard-Montrachet (see above) showed just a touch of oxidation.

 

Among the group, the Corton-Charlemagne wines showed the best, as befits the name of the first Holy Roman Emperor. These included the following:

2009 Corton-Charlemagne, Remoissenet (see above)

2009 Corton-Charlemagne, Louis Latour (No. 2, flight 1)

2008 Coron-Charlemagne, Joseph Drouhin (No. 2, flight 3)

Also noteworthy was a 1990 Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet from Joseph Drouhin (No. 2, flight 2), another example of a white Burgundy that has aged well.

 

See the Review of Washington Wines Facebook page for a picture of the Corton Charlemagne lineup and for a post-tasting picture.

 

Another Exceptional Rosé

 

Since my posting of 12 July, "Summer Rosé Roundup," I have run across another noteworthy addition to the list of Recommended wines. Only 50 cases were made and it is available only at the winery, located in the Airport district of the Walla Walla Valley.

 

2011 Revelry Vintners Rosé, Columbia Valley ($18)

This Rosé is like the Loire Valley (Cabernet Franc) meets the Rhone Valley (Grenache, Cinsault) and the combination works. Pale salmon colored, it emits intriguing aromas of raspberry, pomegranate, rosebuds, Provençal herbs and a wisp of spiced incense. The flavors comprise a vibrant intermixing of strawberry, watermelon and Rainer cherry. The back picks up notes of rhubarb, melon rind and tangerine peel, followed by a lingering, lightly spiced (coriander, clove), well-extracted dry finish. 18.5/20 points.

www.revelrywines.com