Since I have started studying about wine in the context of the WSET and now the MW, I have seen what I look forward to taste change quite a bit. At the beginning, 6-7 years ago, I was thrilled by fancy labels and famous origins. Now, what thrills me is the quirky, the unusual, and the remarkable.
Before tasting such wine, I get an intense buzz from listening to a wine maker on how he made it and trying to imagine what it is going to be like.
Neige Ambre Du Québec (Récolte D'Automne & D'Hiver) gave me exactly that buzz... I was not disappointed...
Here is how it was made. Some portion of the must comes from apples picked in the fall, and then frozen during the winter months to concentrate the sugars (60%). The other portion is made from the juice of apples picked still frozen from the trees(40%). This blend is then fortified to 20% and put in oak barrels to mature for 3-4 years.
2,178 bottles produced, 800 released, 3 1/2 still (at time of writing this) in my possession...
Here, perhaps you can imagine how it is going to taste like? Let me tell you...
Beautiful amber color.
Complex & diabolical nose...Baked & bruised apples, subtle vanilla & cinnamon, brown sugar, mandarin skin, nutmeg, dried figues, smoke & a touch "tire sur la neige". Delicate notes of toasted walnuts & roasted almonds...Very interesting & constantly evolving...
Luscious palate yet smooth, fine & caressing. Excellent balance with an alcohol hidden in the background. Savoury & mouthwatering. Long & haunting...
A beauty...and addictive...
Tech Sheet Here...
