After almost three weeks of tastings, a lot of beautiful moments with the lovely people of Burgundy the mind starts to drift … sometimes in mysterious ways.
On my tastings this month I met a barrel from a prominent and distinct tonnelier. He was on his second shift, and had spend the first time with a very good wine – that had benefitted (I’m sure plentifully) from the stength and power of the barrels first years.
Now as the second job – the barrel got new lodger – a lovely Grand Cru of very good quality and concentration – low yields after frost and all – not an insignificant wine by any means.
The barrel apparently still had his strong voice and sing loud and clear – even clear enough to recognice the voice through the second wine – like Pavarotti singing on a recording from the 1960s or Jussi Björling even earlier.
The tone is loud, clear, distinct and unmistaken – almost easier to notice the tonnelier than the specific terroir.
My pondering is however – am I here for the barrel or the terroir, and even more importantly how would the first wine have been without a massive dose of Paverotti or was it Björling.
I am talking a lot of terroir – but if a second wine barrel can influence a Grand Cru to such a large degree?!
It’s worth a thought.
Just for the info – Jussi Björling passed away decades ago – and any resemblence with current producers, tonneliers, casks or wines is purely unintended.
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