It was great last night, retasted this morning it was extraordinary.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Overnight Transformation
Last vintage done by Marcel Lapierre before he was claimed by melanoma. This shows what well managed gamay can do. Overnight it became Pinot-like, easily could be confused with a delicate Chambolle-Musingny.
It was great last night, retasted this morning it was extraordinary.
It was great last night, retasted this morning it was extraordinary.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
And it is only 13 years old
So for the holiday I pulled out an older bottle to have at Spring Mill Cafe- but it still had its fruit.
Clefs d' Or is always great. I got a case of this 5 or 6 years ago at a Pa shop for $20/bottle. They did not know what they were selling.
Just getting a bit of brick in the color. Nose has fig, but red and black fruits and a bit of garrigue are in the background. Tannins are soft leading to a grand and balanced finish.
The point here is shopping. One does not always need to spend a lot to get a great and age worthy wine. Now I have to figure out when to open the last 2 bottles.
Clefs d' Or is always great. I got a case of this 5 or 6 years ago at a Pa shop for $20/bottle. They did not know what they were selling.
Just getting a bit of brick in the color. Nose has fig, but red and black fruits and a bit of garrigue are in the background. Tannins are soft leading to a grand and balanced finish.
The point here is shopping. One does not always need to spend a lot to get a great and age worthy wine. Now I have to figure out when to open the last 2 bottles.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Gigondas
This is a favorite- they also make Chateau Vaudieu.
It is a bit of infanticide to open the 2009, but I had to try it (particularly after a week of call).
Inky purple. A nose of red and black fruit, with a background of smoked meat and maybe some smoked meat. The tannins are smooth, the acids well balanced, and just a hint of astringency on the end. It finishes in great balance.
This is a great wine and I look forward to it as it matures.
It is a bit of infanticide to open the 2009, but I had to try it (particularly after a week of call).
Inky purple. A nose of red and black fruit, with a background of smoked meat and maybe some smoked meat. The tannins are smooth, the acids well balanced, and just a hint of astringency on the end. It finishes in great balance.
This is a great wine and I look forward to it as it matures.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Tasting at the Guard House Tonight
Great event that had value. Tonight was wines of the northwestern US.
The distributors had some nice white wines, particularly a reisling and a wild blend, both of which had great white flowers, acid, and mineral.
The best of the tasting was the Waterbrook Reserve Merlot. This was great- blue fruits, a bit of vanilla, soft tannins and just the right amount of acid. This has the balance and body to age for a bit.
Bottom line- looked good, smelled good, tasted good, and I liked it all at a good price point via the PA shops.
Have at it.
The distributors had some nice white wines, particularly a reisling and a wild blend, both of which had great white flowers, acid, and mineral.
The best of the tasting was the Waterbrook Reserve Merlot. This was great- blue fruits, a bit of vanilla, soft tannins and just the right amount of acid. This has the balance and body to age for a bit.
Bottom line- looked good, smelled good, tasted good, and I liked it all at a good price point via the PA shops.
Have at it.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Vinsobres with a bit more
Famille Jaume is an excellent producer in Vinaobres with a wide portfolio. Shopping our local Pa store today I found Domaine Courtois 2009 by Jaume. Like all of the Jaume wines, this is well made and has a true sense of place. It is an excellent small production cuvée at a superb price.
The parcel is small, 10 acres, and with low yields.
The wine is a dark and bright ruby; it is translucent. The nose gives intense red fruit aromas with a hint of resinous herbs and the beginnings of smoked meat. The finish is well balanced with a nice blend of acid, alcohol, tannin and fruit. As the wine opens the smokiness increases, the tannin softens, and the fruit persists.
This is 60% Grenache and the rest Syrah. It is a great blend. 2009 was a great year in the southern Rhone and this wine shows the quality of the year.
This is a great wine at an exceptional price in Pa stores. It should show well for at least 3 to 6 years, maybe longer.
The parcel is small, 10 acres, and with low yields.
The wine is a dark and bright ruby; it is translucent. The nose gives intense red fruit aromas with a hint of resinous herbs and the beginnings of smoked meat. The finish is well balanced with a nice blend of acid, alcohol, tannin and fruit. As the wine opens the smokiness increases, the tannin softens, and the fruit persists.
This is 60% Grenache and the rest Syrah. It is a great blend. 2009 was a great year in the southern Rhone and this wine shows the quality of the year.
This is a great wine at an exceptional price in Pa stores. It should show well for at least 3 to 6 years, maybe longer.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Petit Chablis
The meal last night called for minerality and acidity, or a delicate red wine. I went with 3 options- a wonderful Sancerre, a red cotes du Beaune, and a young Petit Chablis (2010). For me the winner as a pairing for the meal was the Petit Chablis from Domaine d' Elise.
The wine is a clear light straw color. On the nose it has incredible fruit with green apples and citrus, but a sense of secondary aromas of sur lees aging as well. The mouth shows wonderful minerality and honed acidity. The acidity lingers on the palate. In sum I liked this wine and will find more. It is young and seems to have structure to age a bit.
The producer, Domaine d' Elise, has a single 13 hectare plot which abutts the Chablis Premier Cru of Cote de Lechet. From the terroirist perspective it does have credibility. It is tank fermented and aged.
I tasted the remains of this bottle this morning as a follow up and nothing was lost- still apples, citrus, lees, vibrant acidity and striking minerality. It is more Chablis than Petit Chablis.
The wine is a clear light straw color. On the nose it has incredible fruit with green apples and citrus, but a sense of secondary aromas of sur lees aging as well. The mouth shows wonderful minerality and honed acidity. The acidity lingers on the palate. In sum I liked this wine and will find more. It is young and seems to have structure to age a bit.
The producer, Domaine d' Elise, has a single 13 hectare plot which abutts the Chablis Premier Cru of Cote de Lechet. From the terroirist perspective it does have credibility. It is tank fermented and aged.
I tasted the remains of this bottle this morning as a follow up and nothing was lost- still apples, citrus, lees, vibrant acidity and striking minerality. It is more Chablis than Petit Chablis.
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