Notes:

Burghound July 2006
Producer note: Michel Niellon describes the 2004 vintage as "in contrast to 2003, a year that gave generous yields but with good sugars and excellent acidities. We treated often because of the continual threat of oidium but thankfully, there was very little loss from damaged grapes. Because yields were generous we did a very soft pressing and obtained excellent raw materials that remind me quite a bit of 1982. I believe 2004 will age well because even though it's not an especially concentrated vintage, it's transparent and beautifully well-balanced." I have always preferred the Niellon wines in higher acid vintages, such as the spectacular wines he crafted in such years as 1993 and 1996. And as the scores and commentaries suggest, the Niellon 2004s are very special wines and most are highly recommended. Note that the Vergers is now back in production. The whites were bottled in August.

Tasting note: This is usually my favorite of the Niellon 1ers but in 2004, it has strong competition from the Champs Gain. A strikingly elegant and perfumed nose reveals poached pear and fresh peach aromas nuanced by wet stone notes complements the supple, silky and suave mouth coating flavors that deliver a real sense of volume and ample dry extract on the impressively complex and focused finish. Burghound 92