Matter of Taste: Robert Parker’s big wine show

Valais wine reference

Diego Mathier: Valais wine reference

To introduce Diego Mathier here would be like pouring Fendant into the Rhone. The bustling three-time Winemaker of the Year and Winemaker of the Last Decade was profiled in 2015, for example. You can read the story HERE.

This is the first time it will be part of Matter of Taste, although Parker taster Stephan Reinhardt has so far only awarded the sweet wine Ermitage Rubin Gemma a very high score: 93 PP. So let’s give you a little help with the tasting of the latest vintages. Just this much: it was worth it, especially the family wines with the Syrah as the outstanding class leader and the three Ambassadors are great! And it will be worth tasting them at the Dolder Grand too.

• Fendant Ville de Sion 2021: 16/20 (CHF 16.80)
• Fendant Molignon 2021: 16/20 (CHF 16.80)
• Johannisberg 2021: 17/20 (CHF 18.50)
• Heida 2021: 17.5/20 (CHF 25.50)
• Viognier 2021: 17.25/20 (CHF 25.50)
• Ermitage Nadia Mathier 2020: 17,25/20 (CHF 27.00)
• Cuvée Rosmarie white 2021: 17.25/20 (CHF 24.80)
• Petite Arvine 2021: Great apricot and peach nose, incredibly fruity, also mineral, crisp acidity, lean, now also citric, ethereal, slightly medicinal, deep, drinkable, great finish. Score: 17.75/20 (CHF 25.50)
• Ambassadeur des Domaines Fumé Gros Rhin 2020: Expansive, deep nose, floral, lots of fruit, wax, wood derivative notes, earthy-grey, bitter almonds, ethereal, nougat, marzipan, fresh, subtle sweetness, great finish. Score: 17.75/20 (CHF 28.00)
• L’Ambassadeur de Domain Diego Mathier white 2020: Restrained, subtly fruity, a hint of minerality, great structure, finesse, elegance, charm, crisp acidity, light-footed, vanilla, peach, pineapple, wonderful finish. Score: 17.75/20 (CHF 43.00)
• Gamay Mephisto 2020: 16.5/20 (CHF 15.50)
• Humagne Rouge Ferdinand 2020: 16,75/20 (CHF 30.00)
• Dôler Sang de l’Enfer 2020: 16,25/20 (CHF 17.50)
• Pinot Noir Lucifer 2021: 16.5/20 (CHF 18.50)
• Pinot Noir Réserve de Salquenen 2019: 16.75/20 (CHF 25.50)
• Pinot Noir Grande Réserve 2019 (now called Réserve de la famille): 17,5/20 (CHF 29.00)
• Pinot Noir Oskar Mathier Non filtré 2020: 17/20 (CHF 22.50)
• L’Ambassadeur de Domain Diego Mathier red Pinot Noir 2020: Noticeable wood, vanilla, light perfume, lots of fruit, cherries, plums, herbs, slightly ethereal-medicinal, juicy tannins, power, full-bodied, powerful, goes forward, fullness, long. Score: 17.75/20 (CHF 43.00)
• Cuvée Rosmarie red 2020: 17.25/20 (CHF 24.80)
• Merlot Nadia Mathier 2020: Subtle fruity nose, slightly herbal, very typical of the variety, crisp acidity, velvety, fresh, straightforward and simple, powerful, everything in balance, therefore totally drinkable, long finish. Score: 17.75/20 (CHF 33.00)
• Cabernet Sauvignon Adrian Mathier 2020: Quite typical, licorice, herbal, cherry, deep, full-bodied, subtle acidity and tannins, very clean, deeply ethereal, eucalyptus, long. Score: 17.75/20 (CHF 35.00)
• Cornalin Adrian Mathier 2020: 17,5/20 (CHF 33.00)
• Syrah Diego Mathier 2020: minimally smoky, dark, ripe fruit, power, balanced, deep, totally round, juicy tannins, velvety texture, bitter almonds that give the wine the right kick, great finish. Score: 18.75/20 (CHF 33.00)