This time we have Switzerland, Rhone and Piedmont.
The Marie-Therese Chappaz 2021 Grain Ermitage is 100% Marsanne and is actually way too young. The wine has a lot of potential and vanilla, apricot, blossoms, full body, balance, medium to long finish and is modern, spicy and fresh. 18/20 points.
The Pegau 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc A Tempo has 1/3 each of Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Rousanne. The wine has flowers, apple, spicy notes, full body and some floor wax and is mineral and balanced. The wine needs aeration and then becomes creamy, elegant and complex. 18.5/20 points.
For us, Ex-Voto remains one of the best white wines of the Rhone. The Guigal 2015 Hermitage Blanc Ex-Voto has blossoms, licorice, a touch of coffee, full body, density, a saline minerality, a long finish and is mineral, spicy and complex. The wine has the perfect maturity now. 19.3/20 points.
Barolo vintage 2019 seems to have more power but less fine tannin than vintage 2016. The vintage is more traditional with lots of potential and longevity. So is the Baudana 2019 Barolo Cerretta: The wine is phenolic and has black fruits, violets, tar, flowers, full body, high density, lots of tannin, a long finish and lots of potential. 18.8/20 points.