Alexandre Bain, Pierre Precieuse Vintage:2019 anise and a whiff of

anise and a whiff of hoisin

This is also notably ripe yet attractively fresh with a pretty combination of kirsch and black raspberry liqueur aromas that are trimmed in warm earth notes

This will need a few years to absorb the sulfur but it should be worth the wait

The nose of blackberry

which Europhiles will find more palatable than the bigger-than-life 2003

Alexandre Bain, Pierre Precieuse Vintage:2019 anise and a whiff ofSauvignon Blanc from the Central Loire. Aged for 38 months 18 months in barrel, 20 months in stainless steel tanks. No btonnage. Certainly not fresh and simple! But it's very experimental Vin de France. A bit mealy, with real grip on the palate. Id love to know more about this unusual wine that's a bit like essence of stones. (JR)