Hugel, Pinot Gris Selection de Grains Nobles

The Inaugural Paris Wine Event (Papies at Passy, Paris) : Where does one start and finish rating such a wine? This being our sixth and last bottle and rated 91-93 over the last decade was really a saving the best for last. Aged 46 this wine does not seem to want to let go and easily has another 20 years in the tank. Very much alive, glossy and bright colour, touch exotic, proper polished acidity , good weight on the …

Miscellaneous Wines from a France Trip-Burgundy, Alsace, and Paris; 4/20/2017-4/29/2017 : Bright golden color. Honey, yellow peach, and citrus. Rich, moderately sweet, completely harmonious, spherical feel. Great core of acidity, incredible length. It is hard to describe how perfectly this wine showed tonight. Poise, remarkable freshness for its age, and an almost impossible feeling of lightness. We loved it with foie gras at the beginning of the meal, and it matched just as well with strong cheeses 3 hours later. …

Mature Alsace VTs & SQNs 2003-1976 with Richard Brazier (Handford Wines, London) : Showed a lot worse (may the comparison with the other wines in the line up) than the last few times we tried it. Colour is still very bright and glossy and this has a lot of life in it. Light spice, well balanced wine, very healthy , good acidity, ripe melon notes. There is nothing to fault here just not very exciting. A very good 91 this …

Once again very consistent showing from this wine (Last two were a 92 and a 93). Not heavy or sticky, very light on its feet but a serious wine, with good depth and complexity. The acidity is there and keeps the wine in tension and for an almost 40yr old wine it has a pretty vibrant side. Very good once again. 93

Our second bottle and very consistent showing with last time (Papies 92). Not a stick SQN but kept in check with good acidity that also keeps a fresh side to the wine even at almost 40yrs old. It still not fading at all. Very good but for the style, age and pedigree we wanted to see a lot more complexity. 92-93

Quite lively and on the fresh side. Good balance and this is not a sticky flat wine but quite a firm and fresh even at this age. Not the most complex wine around but a very good desert wine with a lot a life ahead of it. Very good. 92

With MPL at Square One at dinner (salmon). Surprising yellow color; medium yellow. Polite, reserved nose is a touch herbaceous, though appealing. Good flavor. Long finish has a slightly distracting quinine character. Absolutely no sign of age-– remarkable. 5-11-11-6: 83/100.