Today I am too lazy to perform some serious winery resp. wine-reconnaissance-work. That is probably why I have chosen to perform another "HAPPENING NOW" TASTING. This time with a wine made from the very autonomous grape varietal Négrette (100%). The producer was Château Bouissel in Fronton AOC in the South-West of France. As far as I know one of the few real quality producers in this “not so outstandingly super popular” viticulture area. What else to know? The back label is telling me that this Négrette based wine is supposed to be one of those Vin Naturel! Let's see ...
The colour is having a lively and juicy
dark red colour without much transparency (can't see particles –
unfiltered wine). No real discolourations and pretty regular
viscosity (14,5% alc.). Somehow certain colour association with
juvenile Grenache based wines are rising in my headnut. Can't specify
why.
The bottle was opened at 20:20 CET
20:45
The nose is very rustic, a bit crude
and certainly more than just a bit barn'y, is showing quite a lot of
fresh and warm black currant fragrances, a little bit of nutmeg, very
mild smoke and nose teasing black pepper. Already a very nice, but
not really a very subtle bouquet.
The taste is a bit restrain and not
totally present. I am tasting rather mild tannin, considering the
juvenile age and the origin. The acid isn't violent or harsh at all.
I think it should stay that way in the coming hours. As previously
mentioned, the fruit is rather reserved. I am getting some
impressions of warm and uncomplicated black currant flavours and a
lot of dusty smoke. Besides that I think I am tasting a few hints of
possible Vin Naturel wierdos: pretty fresh whey, air-dried salami and
associations of various animals. Anyway, these wierdos are seeming
very mild and underlying. So far a simple wine without a lot of distinct qualities.
More in an hour or so …
21:58
Right now the nose is seeming fresher,
more vital and less barn'y stinky. I think I am getting traces of
(not too fresh lemons) and definitely fresh herbs. Besides those
minor developments the scent of black currants are still prevailing.
The smoke is fading substantially. Hints of the nutmeg are rising! At
the moment a bit more delightful and convincing nose. Still not all
too subtle.
The taste is coming a bit more to life.
I am getting a few stronger and more expressive flavours of tart
black currants, probably a bit more impressions of mineral
characteristics and less present nutmeg. The tannin (slightly rude)
and acid is still okay and more or less the same. Right now a
convincing, not too special and surly not subtle or challenging wine.
Apart of the salami the wierdos have left the palate! The finish is
pulling through a tough period … Not really great or above average!
More in approx. an hour ...
23:15
No real nasal change! Perhaps a bit
more settled and unfortunately slightly flatting!?
Only minor changes. The taste is
getting more juicy and plum'y. Black currant, a bit more soft and
tender, is remaining as the master of fruit-domain. The overall
impression is still rather crude, not really subtle and not too
complex. The finish remains pretty short and won't improve ( I am
afraid!). No real improvments so far. For sure a wine good enough for a decent weekday
consumption. But not a really great one! At least it seems clean and
down-to-earth!
One more update tomorrow evening ...
→ 20:10
Now, the nose evolved back to a little
stinky one. Besides that I am getting dark and tart fruit and plenty
of not too harsh smoke.
The taste smoothed (a bit) overnight,
but hasn't lost its crude character. The rest is not really
mentionable!
In my curious rating language a so-so
*** wine, I guess. No real harm, no real excitement! Pretty boring
for a Vin Naturel! Speaking of which, this afternoon I have allowed
myself to do some “involuntary” “winery resp. wine
reconnaissance” work anyway. Not serious work, of course! Somehow I
am under the impression that this winery could be not that
vin-naturel'ish as I might imagine it should!? Okay, my French is
pretty crap (or I was simply too lazy) – so serious doubts are
absolutely justified! Perhaps one of you guys can check out for me
;-)
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