2021 – Matt Walls Wine Blog

Domaine Fournier Longchamps

Matt — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 20:04:18 +0000

Very pale green-gold colour. Daffodil and apple skin, very Chenin nose in its most floral guise. Light-bodied, pretty cutting acidity. Focused, gently saline. Not terribly long, lacks a little weight of fruit, but true to type.

Olivier et Lafond

Matt — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 09:58:25 +0000

A little Cinsault in the blend here too, all destemmed. Gentle, detailed berry fruits. Only medium-bodied, lovely sense of freshness, with a tight tannic frame and good sense of tension. Not terribly concentrated but well-handled for the vintage. Early drinking, with much pleasure. No overt oak – no oak apparent. Alcohol just a little raised, but very drinkable nonetheless.

Olivier et Lafond

Matt — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 09:53:14 +0000

A blend of 5 different varieties originating from 5 different terroirs and two different vintages, mostly very old vines. Deeply coloured. Deep black cherry scents, dense and fresh. Full-bodied, intense concentration and good freshness, tight tannins, well balanced. Good length of fruit, very black cherry on the palate too. Would put it in Lirac, or perhaps Vacqueyras – between the two in style, with a hint of Ventoux. Good structure.

Olivier et Lafond

Matt — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 09:38:57 +0000

100% Old vine Clairette. Aromatically quite straightforward, with fresh floral notes and dried pear. Medium- to full-bodied, a pleasant gentle bitterness on the finish, good freshness and fruit and a fairly long finish. Broad but not gloopy, well balanced, fresh, good balancing acidity. No overt oak influence or unbalanced alcohol.

Olivier et Lafond

Matt — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 15:32:06 +0000

Five-year-old negociant business, a partnership between two winemaking consultants. Good freshness on the nose. Straighter on the palate than the 2017, not so broad. Keener, more focused. Similar phenolic style, still generous, just neater. Deliciously textural, food-friendly style of Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc.

Château des Tours

Matt — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 18:47:50 +0000

Slightly cloudy ruby. Sandalwood, cedar, red cherry and strawberry. Touch of raspberry and raspberry leaf. Full-bodied, but only just, with lovely Provençale herbs and bright acidity on the finish. Not long, touch of pepper on the finish. The Rayas winemaking touch is clearly there. Touch of fine tannin, but not much. Lovely harmonious, fairly well-balanced style, with some complexity of expression.

Château des Tours

Matt — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 15:37:19 +0000

Very pale colour. Pure English strawberry and sage. Medium- to full-bodied, vibrant pinpoint acidity. Very herbal in style: rosemary, thyme. Dry finish, herbal and resinous, very savoury, not long. Very drinkable, with a slight mineral seam.