88+(?) 2006 Clos Roche Blanche - Touraine (Roussel et Barrouillet) Sauvignon #2 (Louis/Dressner) 2/22/08 ($10)
13.8% alc
Color: Medium straw yellow. (3.0) Bouquet: Litchi nut, wet stones and honey with a little Champagne vinegar thrown in. Surprisingly focussed for the appellation and price. (3.0) Body: Solid middleweight with excellent terroir and very good fruit. Coats the mouth with ground stones and light honey. (3.0) Flavor: Restrained with mostly dry stones and some litchi nut and vinegar in the background. (2.0) Finish: Somewhere in between the exotic bouquet and the more simple flavor. Litchi nut, honey and stones linger with a little bitterness.(2.5)
Overall: This tastes like a Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc (dry) blend to me. It has a complex, exotic bouquet, which promises better things all-around in the next 2-4 years. Unfortunately, you can't have it all for $10, as there is some tight bitterness in the flavor and finish. Still terrific stuff with surprising character for the price. I've got to tuck away a bottle or two of this to see where it goes in the next few years. (13.5)