Assorted Dessert Wines

I decided to step outside the comfortable selections of Sauternes to taste more affordable dessert wines.  Of the three featured in this post I would recommend the Chambers, Muscat.  The flavors are rather enjoyable and while unctuous and rich, it is not overwhelming.  I am now rather curious to try some of their older selections.  I picked up the Cave des Vignerons de Saint Jean de Minervois because I had enjoyed the 1996 Domaine Simon, Clos Bagatelle.  This wine is made by the cooperative which was established in 1955 and is the largest producer in the appellation.  Through modern vinification they have produced an affordable introduction to the region.  The Chambers Rosewood and Vignerons de Saint Jean de Minervois are available at Total Wine of Manassas.  The Tabali is available at MacArthur Beverages.

NV Chambers Rosewood Vineyards, Muscat, Rutherglen  – $12
Imported by Old Bridge Cellars.  This wine is 100% Muscat a Petit Grains which has been aged in a solera system using older oak casks for six to ten years.  TA 3.6 g/L, Alcohol 18%.  The color is a light to medium tawny and amber.  The nose is of sweet black tea and muscat.  In the mouth the flavors are unctuous and a little spicy at first.  There is a lot of residual sugar which has a honeyed texture, rich, dried fruit, black tea oils, and a spicy finish.  Actually, quite nice for the price with enough acidity to keep things going.  *** Now-2019.

NV Cave des Vignerons de Saint Jean de Minervois, Resplandy, Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois – (375 mL) $12.
Imported by Clock Tower Imports.  This wine is 100% Muscat which undergoes mutage.  Alcohol 15%.  The nose reveals fresh white flowers along with thyme or some other herb.  The mouth follows the nose with a good level of residual sugar and mouth feel.  The wine is fresh in profile with good flavor but not too broad and a little short of depth.  The finish is a little oily with some spice in the aftertaste.  The residual sugar coats the lips.  With air a dried black tea note develops on the nose.  ** Now – 2015.

2009 Vina Tabali, Late Harvest Muscat, Reserva, Limari Valley – $11
Imported by SWG Imports.  This wine is 100% Pink Muscat which was aged in stainless steel.   RS 79.8 g/L, TA 4.55 g/L, pH 3.32, alcohol 12.5%.  A light yellow color.  The nose has aromas of low-level rich fruit and upon further inspection, something odd.  In the mouth the flavors start off promising with rich, ripe yellow fruit which is slightly racy with integrated acidity.  Then things turn odd with an earthy, musty flavor that comes out.  Perhaps some bad fruit made it in? * Now.

A Refreshing Fortified Muscat

Domaine Simon is an old estate dating to 1623 when Pierre Mercadier acquired the property.  In the 1960s Marie-Francoise and Henry Simon replanted the vineyard and developed the winery.  Today the 60 hectare domaine is run by their children Christine and Luc.  The domaine is located in the south of Saint-Chinian at an altitude of 280 meters where the soils are of clay, limestone, and schist. They produce both red and white wines but this post concerns their Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois.  This tiny appellation was created in 1949 and consists of some 195 hectares worked by one cooperative and eight domaines.  The wine may only be produced from Muscat petit grains matured to 252 g/L with a final alcohol content of 15-18%.

Last week I grabbed this bottle because of the bottle age and color.  I had never heard of this wine before so I emailed Jocelyn Cambier.  He commented that it was not so sweet and the unique soils give it savory, almost thyme-like flavors in the finish.  These are apt descriptions that I agree with.  It is the sort of wine you could end every hot summer evening with a glass.  This is drinking quite well right now and is perhaps best after one hour of air.  A great value at $20, I wish there were more.  This wine was purchased at MacArthur Beverages.

1996 Domaine Simon, Clos Bagatelle, Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois – $20
A Jocelyn Cambier selection imported by Franklin Selection Inc.  This wine is 100% Muscat petit grains sourced from 30-year-old vines at Clos Bagatelle.  The fruit is fermented in glass lined concrete tanks for approximately one week.  It undergoes mutage, fortification, bringing the alcohol from ~8% to 15%.  It is then aged on the fine lees in stainless steel for approximately one year.  Alcohol 15% vol.  It is a medium amber color looking of age.  The nose is light in strength with rich, low-lying aromas.  The gently ripe flavors are a bit savory and mix with black tea, dried florals, and thyme.  The ripe floral fruit is sweet at first then takes on good body before the sweet aftertaste where there is some warmth.  With air it takes on a touch of marmalade.  In the end this is a very refreshing and though I write sweet, it is a lighter style.  *** Now-2022.