Vins Confédéres
Wine expert and journalist Laurent Probst visited the Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen winery in May 2019 and tasted the Swiss winemaker’s entire range from 2018-2011-2007.
Fendant du Ravin 2018:
Yellow color of medium intensity, shiny, very fine nose with notes of vineyard peach, lime blossom and blossom honey. Wine bottled since March. Rich and honest mouth, mineral and with freshness from the beginning to the finish. Length ok, slight bitterness. Mineral and salty on the finish and lime on the finish. Very fine and discreet perlage on both, which lends additional freshness. A very nice Fendant.
Note: 91-92 Coup de Coeur.
Fendant de Molignon 2018:
Similar color: shiny, gold of medium intensity, nose somewhat more discreet in intensity with citrus notes (pomelos, lemon especially on the finish). Very fresh on the palate, pleasantly rich, balanced, fine and long, less mineral. A very fresh and tasty wine. Long
Score: 90
Johannis Weidmannstrunk 2018:
Typical soft palate with a very delicate mouthfeel. Notes of white pear and apple on the nose. A wine with fullness, but above all with a lot of freshness, which gives it “drinkability”. Fresh and slightly lemony finish. Typical wine with a light, enveloping bitterness on the finish, reminiscent of the typical sweet almond note. Very long and fine finish. Remains very fresh in the mouth after spitting.
Score: 90
Petite Arvine de Molignon Les Pyramides 2018:
2 months in the bottle. Lime on the nose and in the mouth, nose still restrained. In the mouth it is open, straightforward but with some fullness (no sugar). Very fine and long, pure wine, characterized by its salty finish, it is crystalline and mineral. It is a very elegant and straightforward wine that is still developing. The nose is still closed, but that is intentional: this is so that the balance is achieved later and not too early in order to mature more harmoniously. Very nice salinity on the finish.
Score: 90-91
Cuvée Madame 2018: PA, Sylvaner, Savagnin Blanc, PB and PG.
Pale yellow robe. Notes of marzipan, pomelo and tangerine on the nose. Very fine and delicate on the palate, with a very light perlage, persistent. There is SR, which spoils my pleasure a little, because without it the wine would be fresher and more straightforward. A style that appeals to people other than me. A little salty on the finish. The finish is both fresh and balanced.
Score: 88-89
Viognier Les Pyramides 2018:
Still restrained nose, but it is typical: apricot, vineyard peach. The mouth has a very light perlage, it is fine, rich and without heaviness, long. A beautiful, typical and delicate wine that still has a little SR left (10,000 bottles for the first vintage!).
Grade: 90
Ermitage 2017 Nadia Mathier (vinified for 12 months in barriques):
Pleasant and typical nose of beautiful intensity with notes of truffle, raspberry brandy and vanilla (wood). Powerful, vinous, but fresh, fat and elegant wine. Beautiful fruit on the finish, which is long but retains its freshness. A balanced wine, very fine in the mouth with potential and future and well-dosed wood.
Score: 92
Ambassadeur Fumé Gros Rhin 2017:
Yellow color of medium intensity. Initial nose with notes of toast and lemon. Powerful and harmonious palate, very fresh, mineral on the finish, long. The wood is also very well dosed in the mouth, and the freshness prevails over the power and maturity in the end. Lemon also on the finish and a salty, mineral side. This Ambassadeur is very persistent. Bravo.
Note 93-94 Coup de cœur!
Heida 2018 Les Pyramides:
Notes of yellow fruit, white pepper and curry on the nose.
Very open on the palate, rich and very fresh, delicate, long. Very fine mouthfeel, long. The wine is straight in the mouth. It has great potential! Integrated and very fine ageing. Bravo!
Grade: 92
L’Ambassadeur Blanc des Domaines Diego Mathier 2017:
Notes of white fruit on the nose: Pear, peach with a present but not disturbing toasted aroma.
At the same time rich and delicate on the palate, with the very present fruitiness dominating the wood, and as an addition, one has a clear mineral sensation. Powerful and balanced wine, long, even a little salty. A wine that is very present in the mouth without being demonstrative.
Score: 93-94 Coup de Coeur!
Pinot Noir Saphir 2017:
Intense nose with notes of spices (star anise) and cherry brandy. Intense and deep ruby red color.
Lively and rich mouth with discreet sweetness. You can feel the tannins a little, but they are discreet and melted. Overall rather lively and fresh with notes of blackberries and blackcurrants. A surprisingly complex sweet Pinot wine.
Rating: 89-90
Assemblage de Cépages Nobles Topas 2016: Gold-colored robe of beautiful intensity.
Notes of quince, candied lemon peel and pineapple. Liqueur-like but fresh on the palate, with fruit paste and still quince. Nice length, fine and well-executed ensemble. Very pleasant and ready to be enjoyed today.
Score: 89
Ermitage 2016:
Beautiful, intense and shiny golden color. Intense, fruity nose with notes of yellow fruits, mirabelle plums, quince, lychee, truffles and apricots. In the mouth it is liqueur-like, rich, crystalline, long and fresh, very fine and mineral, long and delicate, very well balanced and typical. Very nice wine, long and with a clear ageing potential.
Grade: 94-95 Coup de Cœur
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