Joe Dressner: The Hits Keep on Coming

Last night popped two killer Dressner wines and they were phenomenal. Joe Dressner might have the most quality growers of any importer out there. He really does not miss. I love Kermit but when he misses he misses BIG! I could stock my whole cellar with Joe's wines and be very very happy. On to the wines.

First up was the 2002 Luneau-Papin Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur Lie "Excelsior - Clos des Noelles." Is that name long enough for you? Almost teutonic. Tasted my buddy on this blind and he did a commendable job but still was way off. Think he said Chablis. This is one of Pierre Luneau-Papin's super cuvees as it is aged on the lees an extra twelve months for a total of twenty-four months. The nose is just a mineral explosion with some fresh strawberry fruit and a melon/cantelope thing going on. The palate is creamy and rich but finishes off with Muscadet's rapier-like acidity. This wine needs to be drunk cold. I do not say that about many whites but for this that is the case. As it warms up it loses its focus so keep this one on ice. I think this is drinking great now but could age for up to five more years. This offers exceptional value as it is very similar to killer 1er Cru white burgs at a 1/3 of the price.

Next was the 2005 Michel Tete Julienas "Cuvee Prestige." I have mixed feelings about this vintage as it is too ripe for me in many cases but in other cases it has beautiful balance and glorious concentration and fruit. This was the latter. The fruit is stunning on this wine and really stains the palate. All red fruit all the time. Tannic . . .yes . . .but ripe tannins definetly! The acid is nice but the texture is almost Burgundian and has that super balance that the great '05 burgs have. One of the superstars of the vintage for my palate along with all the Brun wines and Granger Chenas.