Cross bed
An article by Adrian van Velsen about the tasting of Mathier wines and his assessment. Article from September 16, 2022
As part of my jury participation at the Mondial des Pinots, I visited Diego Mathier in Salgesch together with a few wine friends. As always, the enterprising entrepreneur was in a great mood and presented us with a small cross-section of his huge range of wines. My notes are rather brief for once.
2021, Petite Arvine, Pyramide, Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen. (CHF 25.50 ex farm) Fine fruity nose, herbs, blossom honey. Juicy and fresh on the palate, fine acidity, crisp and with a fine bitterness on the finish. A crisp Petite Arvine that is immediately enjoyable. 88 vvPoints
2021, Viognier, Pyramide, Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen. (13.5% alcohol, CHF 25.50 from the farm). Floral, white-flowered nose, fresh in appearance. Creamy on the palate, with melting, then becomes fresher and crisper, the wine has tension and a good structure, ends with a fine bitter note. 87 vvPoints
2020, Gros Rhin de Chamonson, Ambassadeur Fumé, Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen. (100% Sylvaner, 13.5%, CHF 28.- from the winery). Open nose, peach, fine roasted notes, herbs, blossom honey, even almonds, complex. Creamy and round on the palate, shows fullness and body, remains elegant, nervy acidity, crisp fruit, very long finish. An excellent Sylvaner, with potential for a long maturation. 91 vvPoints
2021, Heida, Pyramide, Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen. (From vineyards at 850 meters above sea level, loamy soils, 13.5% alcohol, CHF 25.50 ex farm). Radiant nose, fresh, delicately spicy, melon, peach. Taut on the palate, fine fruit, perfectly integrated wood, incredibly crisp, with racy acidity, the wine has tension, freshness and ends with an almost spicy flavor. 90 vvPoints
2020, L’Ambassadeur Blanc, Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen. (65% Savagnien Vert from Turtmann, 25% Petite Arvine Mollignon, 10% Marsanne, 13.5% alcohol, CHF 43 from the winery). Initially woody nose, a hint of caramel, smoky notes, exotic fruits, peach. Round and soft on the palate, a mouthful of wine, lush, rich, corpulent, yet elegant, striking acidity, very well-packed wood. Finishes with a saline note and again exotic fruity notes. An excellent wine that perfectly combines minerality and fruit. Can mature, will benefit from 2-3 years of cellar rest. 92+ vvPoints
2013, L’Ambassadeur Blanc, Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen. (65% Savagnien Vert, 25% Petite Arvine, 10% Marsanne, 13.5% alcohol, CHF 43 from the winery). Green gold. Expressive nose, ripe, mineral, ripe fruit, quince, salted lemon, apple, apricots, white flowers on top. Slender, straightforward on the palate, with a fine creaminess, perfectly ripe fruit, wonderful acid structure, lots of spice, still full-bodied, with excellent length. 93 vvPoints
2019, Pinot Noir Réserve de Salquenen Les Pyramides, Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen. (This wine was aged longer in wood, not bottled until 2022). Bright red, slightly herbaceous nose, fresh, with lots of red fruit, raspberries, some plums. Fruity and fresh on the palate, fine spice, well-integrated tannins, ripe fruit, with charm and good length. Enjoy now until 2030. 89 vvPoints
2019, Pinot Noir de Salquenen Réserve de la famille Les Pyramides, Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen. (100% Pinot Noir, CHF 29.- from the farm) The nose reveals roasted notes, tea and ripe fruit, with Christmas spices. Ripe, round on the palate, with a creamy melt, a fine acid structure and a warm finish. Very high quality. Now until 2033. 89 vvPoints
2020, L’Ambassadeur Rouge, Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen. (CHF 43.00 ex farm) Warm, intense nose, still characterized by the wood, Christmas cookies, ripe fruit. The palate is dense, concentrated, very full-bodied and yet highly elegant, the tannin quality is excellent, the acidity is right, the wood is perfectly packaged. Very good length and finesse on the finish. This is an excellent value, already seductive, with great reserves. Now until 2040. 93+ vvPoints
2019, L’Ambassadeur Rouge, Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen. (CHF 43.00 ex farm) Open nose, very expansive, lots of herbs, Christmas cookies, cherries and plums, fine roasted notes. On the palate with melting and charm, of course there is a certain roundness, but there is also a good freshness, the wine has tension, a good structure, character and a very good length on the finish. Needs to mature for another 2-3 years, then should be fun for 10+ years. 91+ vvPoints
2016, L’Ambassadeur Rouge, Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen. The nose jumps out of the glass, dark and red berries, ripe cherry, a hint of cassis, white pepper, floral notes, incredibly seductive. Still wild and youthful on the palate, fine-grained tannins, racy, ripe fruit and yet with freshness, chalky tannins, very good length. A wine at the beginning of a very long window of enjoyment. 94 vvPoints
2008, L’Ambassadeur Rouge, Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen. Open nose, slightly smoky, undergrowth, a hint of mushrooms, subtle straw in the barn, behind it ripe fruit, cherries, elderberries. Well matured on the palate and yet surprisingly fresh, with a great acid structure, melted tannins and a good length. A top bottle; I like it better this time than at my last tasting about 3 years ago. Nobly matured. 90 vvPoints
Source: www.vvwine.ch/2022/09/diego-mathier-querbeet/
