J.M. Chaland Viré-Clessé Thurissey

I thought we had sorted out this whole premox thing, but apparently not. Tasted and smelled like sherry, DOA.

Ripe with yellow fruit, as I remember it being at the winery. Mid palate is power and just a touch of anise. Lots of weight there but doesn't lack for drive. Just opened.

100 year old vineyard and this was bottled at Christmas. He thinks it could be better later. More sunny and the slope is less important than the soil. Limestone. Dolomite with a touch of silex and clay. Big and rich on the nose. More toast and brioche. Lots of salty minerality and depth. Fat and sophisticated. They have clay so the vines always have water here. Very salty. 100% oak barrels but a maximum of 5% new oak. And then …