A Rhone Wine Dinner Hosted By Jan and Rick

Eight of us recently attended a Rhone Wine dinner hosted by Jan and Rick.  While they continue to host a variety of barbecues and holiday parties, they have started organizing a series of wine-themed dinner parties.  As an example we attended their Spanish dinner party in September 2011.  Each couple brings a dish along with two wines (or a magnum).  Jan decorates the bar and dinning room with related pictures from their travels and the table is set with linens, dishes, place cards (mine bore a wine bottle), and flowers to match.  I thought this dinner was particularly fun.  All of the food was tasty from the Gruyere puff balls and mini Croque-monsieur, to the seafood bisque Provencal, and chocolate cake.  The wines were a big hit with a good balance between the 2010 vintage and 2004-2000 vintages.  A few other wines were opened but I did not get around to tasting them.  The evening was casually paced with enough time to enjoy the food and both savor and discuss the wines.  We left rather late, though way past our typical bedtime we were excited and satisfied.

Appetizers at the Bar

2000 Domaine du Trapadis, Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau
This wine is a blend of 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 10% Carignan.  Decanted for two hours this revealed a light to medium intensity nose of red fruit, spice box, and cedar.  In the mouth the brighter red fruit had raspberry flavors, a medium mouthfeel and young core.  There were finely textured tannins as it tightened up towards the finish.  There were mature flavors and drying tannins in the aftertaste.  *** Now-2015.

2010 Domaine Brusset, Les Travers Blanc, Cotes du Rhone Villages, Cairanne
This wine is a blend of 30% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc, 20% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, and 10% Viognier which was fermented in vats and new barrels. No malolactic fermentation.  The nose was delicately textured with aromas of floral white fruit.  In the mouth the flavors were of light, yellow fruit with a marked juiciness, and some lifted flavors in the aftertaste.  The profile was lighter but with good flavor.  ** Now.

My Place Setting

2010 Domaine Rouge Bleu, Cuvee Mistral, Cotes du Rhone
This wine is a blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Carignan which were fermented in concrete tanks.  This was double-decanted twice, two hours prior to tasting.  I took just a quick note.  There were focused red fruit flavors, some cinnamon, minerals, an inky/lipstick note in the aftertaste, all supported by plenty of acidity.  There is good potential here, it just needs several years of age. **(**) 2015-2022.

Seafood Bisque Provencal

2010 Chateau de Saint Cosme, Blanc, Cotes du Rhone
This wine is a blend of 30% Picpoul, 30% Roussanne, 20% Marsanne, and 20% Viognier which was fermented in old barrels and aged on the lees.  The nose revealed lovely, textured ripe white fruit.  In the mouth there were good, ripe flavors, sweet spiced fruit, which started off as lively on the tongue than expands and fills the mouth.  There were notes of Meyer lemon in the finish as sweet spices came out in the aftertaste.  Lovely to drink right now.  *** Now-2014.

Chicken in Riesling

2001 Chateau de Saint Cosme, Gigondas
This wine is a blend of 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 5% Cinsault which was aged in 60% used wood barrels and 40% tanks.  The nose revealed earthy, rustic red fruit, cedar, forest floor, and some floral notes.  In the mouth the flavors bore a touch of lavender as they turned towards blue fruit.  The flavors became leaner as sweet spice came out in the aftertaste.  *** Now-2017.

2003 Domaine Santa Duc, Gigondas
This wine is a blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 5% Cinsault.  The aromatic nose revealed ripe, blue and red fruit, spicy notes, and tobacco aromas.  In the mouth the ripe fruit had good depth, was inky with ripe tannins, and an expansive aftertaste with flavors of licorice.  This contemporary Gigondas is still youthful and should develop and last for many more years. ***(*) Now-2022.

2004 Domaine Chante Cigale, Chateauneuf du Pape, en magnum
Imported by Saranty Imports.  This wine is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 10% Cinsault.  Double-decanted an hour before I tasted it.  The nose revealed smoked tobacco and dark blue fruit.  In the mouth the flavors shed baby fat with air with the blue and dark blue fruit tightening up.  This easy-going wine remained tight with integrated acidity, very subtle sweet spice, a touch of warmth, and an overall primary nature.  Magnums of this will easily cellar for years to come! **(*) 2017-2025.

Chocolate Cake

I Taste Barrel Samples of Beaucastel

I decided to make a quick visit to MacArthur Beverages to pick up some Greek wines and others to taste.  When I walked into the store everyone was in the back tasting some wine.  I was pleased to see Olivier Lotterie of Vineyard Brands again (he recently poured the Tablas Creek at the California Barrel Tasting) and completely surprised to see Cesar Perrin of Chateau de Beaucastel/Famille Perrin tasting barrel samples and other selections.

Cesar Perrin and the Author

The 2010 Chateau de Beaucastel, Coudoulet de Beaucastel and Beaucastel Rouge were barrel samples.  This is indicated by the different label which indicates Enchantillon pris sur cuve or “Sample taken from vat.”  According to Danny Hass (Vineyard Brands) these two wines have completed blending and will remain the same until they are bottled in September.  It was a pleasure to taste all of these wines.  For those who cannot wait the 2009s are lovely and if you have the money then squirrel away a bottle or two of the Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape.  I would like to extend my gratitude to Cesar Perrin and Olivier Lotterie for letting me join the tasting and to Danny Hass for quickly answering my questions.

2009 Famille Perrin, Cotes du Rhone Villages - $11
Imported by Vineyard Brands.  This wine is a blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache sourced from 15-25 year old vines, a good portion of which are declassified young vines from Vinsobres.  There was a youthful and floral nose which was quite engaging.  In the mouth there were tart red fruit flavors, a little lightness, grapier tannins, and lots of red fruit in the finish leaning towards a citrus aspect.  This is a young but approachable wine to be drunk over the short-term.

2009 Perrin et Fils, La Gille, Gigondas – $30
Imported by Vineyard Brands.  This is a blend of Grenache and Syrah sourced from 40-year-old vines.  The nose was focused with red and blue fruit, supported by a hint of grapefruit, and eventually some good, earthy Gigondas stink.  In the mouth the flavors were focused with the strength of the wine held in check by youth.  The aftertaste revealed dark red fruit and was a little spicy.  I would cellar this for five years.

2010 Chateau de Beaucastel, Coudoulet de Beaucastel Rouge, Cotes du Rhone – $25
Imported by Vineyard Brands.  This barrel sample  is a blend of Grenache 30%, Mourvèdre 30%, Syrah 20%, Cinsault 20%.  There was a nose of young black fruit with grapey aromas.  In the mouth the black fruit flavors led throughout along with some herbs, in an easy-going manner.  There was lively acidity throughout.  It is currently playing it close and will benefit from several years or more of cellaring.

2010 Chateau de Beaucastel, Beaucastel Rouge, Chateauneuf du Pape – $75
Imported by Vineyard Brands.  This barrel sample  is a blend of 30% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache , 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, 5% Cinsault and the rest a blend of Vaccarese, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc, and Roussanne.  It is the same blend as the 2009 but from a 30% smaller crop. The nose revealed tighter red fruit with hints of ripeness.  In the mouth there were red fruit flavors with lots of focus that put on weight as it developed in the mouth.  The tannins are very well-integrated, a bit spicy.  This wine is focused and determined to develop with age, the tannins and acidity are seamlessly integrated and lend to its understated capability for longevity.  Revisit in five years but should last for a very long time.

2009 Chateau de Beaucastel, Chateauneuf du Pape – $80
Imported by Vineyard Brands.  This wine is a blend of 30% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache , 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, 5% Cinsault and the rest a blend of Vaccarese, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc, and Roussanne.  There is lovely brambly fruit on the nose tilting towards blue fruit flavors.  In the mouth there are lots of up-front softness (not flabby) before a seductive, racy quality (Licorice/Kirsch perhaps) comes out which persists all the way through the long aftertaste.  There are dark ripe flavors in the middle with lovely tannins and a stellar aftertaste.  I imagine this will drink earlier than the 2010.  A beautiful and very good wine.  Very approachable right now this is hard to resist drinking but should be amazing once mature.

Wines at Lou’s House

We recently gathered at Lou’s house for a celebratory dinner.  Though the house is in the last weeks of renovation Lou and Adriene were willing to host a small dinner attended by Jeannie, Nick, Jenn, and myself.  While Lou set out cheeses, prepared both fresh and steamed oysters from Prince Edward Island, and seared Yellow Fin tuna, we all drank some wine and explored the renovation.  No dinner with Lou would be complete without a Champagne starter, let alone a bottle from Weygant-Metzler, so I was thrilled to see a selection from Nathalie Falmet.  At the Champagne Day at Weygandt Wines I tried and very much enjoyed the Cuvee Brut Nature and Cuvee Le Val Cornet.

NV Nathalie Falmet, Brut, Champagne
Imported by Weygandt-Metzler.  Disgorged 12 October 2010.  There is a light color in the glass.  In the mouth there is a good balance between the yeast and subtle ripe fruit with the perfect texture from the bubbles.  Quite nice, drink this very good wine over the next several years.  Jenn was thoroughly pleased by this Champagne.

2008 Varner, Chardonnay, Bee Block, Spring Ridge Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains
This wine is 100% Chardonnay sourced from the 3.5 acre Bee Block featuring 24-year-old vines.  It was barrel fermented with indigenous yeasts, underwent malolactic fermentation, and aged for 8 months in 30% new French oak barrel.  There was a light golden color in the glass.  The subtle nose made way to the fresh, yellow fruit with an unctuous mouthfeel that was not creamy.  The refreshing acidity led to cool flavors in the aftertaste where flavors of minerals and toast persisted in the mouth.  There were notes of “honey”.  Very well-balanced.  Unassuming and quiet, this very good wine will become even better with several years of age.

We moved on to the red wines with a Moroccan lamb shank entrée to accompany theme.  Lou felt the entrée would work with the Chateauneuf du Papes wines.  Indeed the two wines and entrée were aromatically sympathetic.  He cooked in his temporary kitchen which was relocated into his living room with his new range sitting less than 20 feet away.  Starved for counter space and burner space his almost illegally powerful new gas range surely would have let Lou sit down to taste the wines in a more timely fashion.   Perhaps the heat of the kitchen primed Lou so we started with the Godolphin and Entre Deux Meres.

2005 Ben Glaetzer, Godolphin, Barossa Valley
Imported by Epicurean Wines.  This wine is a blend of 80% Shiraz from 85-year-old vines and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from 60-year-old vines.  The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in oak followed by 14 months of aging in 100% new oak of which 20% was American and 80% French.  Appropriately enough 70% of the barrels were hogshead and 30% barrique.  For a while the aromatic nose reminded both Jenn and I of soy sauce.  In the mouth it was rich with fruit, roasted, and quite mouthfilling.  The tarter red fruit had a lot of up front flavors with the tannins resolved.  While this was a good, primary wine that could stand more aging, it was not my favorite profile.

2005 Drinkward Peschon, Entre Deux Meres, Napa Valley
This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.  A very opaque color with more garnet than the Godolphin.  There was jammy fruit with a cedar note.  The assertive flavors had sweet spice, a well-integrated feeling, and more cedar spice in the aftertaste.  On the second night the wine was still tight but show steely, mineral flavored fruit with dark fruit notes and sweet spices in the finish and aftertaste.  Tight but not dense. This good wine will undoubtedly improve with a more age.  Jenn really liked it.

1998 Bosquet des Papes, Chateauneuf du Papes
Imported by Ginday.  Typically a blend of 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 10% Cinsault  sourced from 45-year-old vines.  It was fermented in cement vats then aged for 12-18 months in old oak casks before resting in cement tanks before bottling.  Though it bore a similar garnet color as the Marcoux it was a little cloudier.  There was a cedar spiced nose.  In the mouth it had a more mature profile, though still in good shape, with thinner flavors in the mouth.  It has the personality of a classic Chateauneuf du Pape.  This wine does not try to be amazing, thus it is complete in what it is.  This good wine is fully mature but may be drunk over the next several years without decline.

1998 Domaine de Marcoux, Chateauneuf du Pape
No imported listed, recently acquired by MacArthurs.  Typically a blend of 80% Grenache, 5% Cinsault, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, and 5% other varietals sourced from 40-50 year old vines.  The wine is fermented in stainless steel with 30% aged in stainless steel and 70% aged for 3 months in old oak casks and barrels.  The vibrant color leads to a nose of riper fruit which is sweeter with gritty aromas of plum.  In the mouth there is younger blue fruit with red fruit developing and ripe tannins in the aftertaste.  On the second night it was drinking beautifully with young, fruity flavors, minerals, and an expansive, almost creamy finish.  With spices in the aftertaste the ripe tannins are fine and coat the mouth.  I would cellar this very good wine another five years.

2007 Chateau des Charmes, Late Harvest Riesling, Niagara on the Lake
This is 100% Riesling harvested in October.  Our taxi cab had arrived so I quickly sampled this wine, hence the short note.  A young nose followed by sweeter flavors showing more residual sugar than acidity.  A bit simple and tilting towards unbalanced.

2009 Chateauneuf du Pape and 2009 Coteaux Languedoc

I’m a huge fan of the La Bastide Saint Dominique, Cuvee Jules Rochebonne so it was exciting to try the Chateauneuf du Pape.  It is surprisingly accessible with enjoyable, clean fruit that will appeal to many.  The Mas des Dames shows more structure and will reward a few years of cellaring.  The La Bastide Saint Dominique is imported by Simon “N” Cellars and available for $30 at MacArthurs.  The Mas des Dames is imported by Vintage ’59 Imports and available for $17.  I do not have enough experience with Chateauneuf du Pape from the 2009 vintage but it seems to be an affordable introduction.  The Mas des Dames could be cellared while you drink the La Bastide Saint Dominique.

2009 La Bastide Saint Dominique, Chateauneuf du Pape
This wine is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, and 5% Cinsault sourced from vines 25-80 years old and aged for 18 months.  This wine starts off with amazingly pure aromas and flavors of blueberries.  Then with air it develops into jammy red and blue fruit that gains complexity.  There is a good powdery feel in this easy to drink, textured, balanced wine.  There is a wee bit of heat. **(**) 2015-2020.

2009 Mas des Dames, La Dame, Coteaux Languedoc
This wine is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Carignan, and 20% Syrah.  There is a light nose of berries, floral notes, and fresh herbs.  In the mouth the red fruit is medium bodied with immediate flavors of dried herbs.  There is a slightly piercing acidity with light but vigorous tannins.  It is structured with stones.  The fruit puts on some weight in the mouth before it becomes a little woodsy with drying tannins in the finish.  I would cellar this for a few years. **(*) 2015-2020.

A Casual Tasting On Our Deck

Aaron and Lou

This week Lou joined Jenn, Lorelei, and I on our deck for a casaul tasting and a simple dinner of charcuterie, cheeses, sliders, and salads.  We double-decanted the wines and bagged them up right before we started.  The different wines made for a fun evening.  Jenn and I preferred the Mordoree and the Yarden.  I believe Lou preferred the La Garrigue and the Mordoree.  We kept the Yarden and Santa Duc to taste again.  Lou kept the La Garrigue and Mordoree.

2001 Domaine de la Mordoree, Duvee de la Rieine des Bois, Lirac
This wine is 33% Grenache, 33% Mourvedre, and 33% Syrah from 30 year old vines (at the time).  The grapes are harvested by hand, spend 30 days fermenting, then 30% is aged in oak barrels and 70% in stainless steel.  This wine has a medium nose of earth and minerals.  With air Jenn noticed a slight pee note but it was not detracting.  I found some grilled bread aromas.  In the mouth there were red fruits, minerals, and a lifted finish.  There are still fine to medium tannins.  This was deeper and richer than the La Garrigue.  *** Now-2017.

Lou visited the Golan Heights Winery and brought this bottle back home.

2003 Golan Heights Winery, Yarden Syrah, Golan Heights
This wine is 100% Syrah from three vineyards, Ortel in northern Golan and Yonatan and Tel Phares in central Golan.  The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.  The ruby-purple color was markedly different than the other wines.  It had a strong Syrah nose that was very fresh and full of piercing aromas.  In the mouth this medium-bodied wine showed creamy flavors, some wood toast, and put on a fair amount of weight with air.  This is a good wine with plenty of life ahead.  *** Now-2017.

2000 Domaine de la Janasse, Chateauneuf du Pape
This  wine looked cloudy and somewhat browned.  It had a muted nose, tasted over the hill, and quickly fell apart.  I bought it know that the wine may have seeped causing the stained label.  When I cut the foil I did not see any seepage.  Clearly it was a bad bottle so we set it aside and I opened the Santa Duc.  Not Rated.

2000 Domaine La Garrigue, Vacqueyras
This wine is a blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 5% Cinsault.  The vineyards average 30-40 years of age.  The grapes are harvested by hand and aged in concrete tanks for at least 18 months.  The nose revealed redder fruit with dusty, herbed aromas.  There was a bit of a lipstick component as well.  In the mouth the leaner red fruit was packed with dusty herbs and dry tannins.  This was the most austere of the wines.  ** Now-2017.

1998 Domaine Santa Duc, Prestige des Haut Garrigues, Gigondas
This wine is a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 3% Syrah, and 2% Cinsault.  The Grenache vines are very old. It is aged for two years in tuns and new casks.  This wine was opened as a replacement for the Janasse.  It had a light nose.  In the mouth there were big, rich flavors that stand up to the ample, lip-coating tannins.  With air it put on weight and developed cinnamon-like flavors and a mineraliness.  On the second night, there was still a light nose.  It tasted a little tired with slightly roasted fruits, minerals, cool blue fruit, and some earthy flavors.  There were still minerals and almost overwhelming wood tannins.  **** 2017-2025.

Notes From the Dump Bin

Avignon, Braun & Hogenberg, Cosmographia, 1575

I love the dump bin. During my Bristol days, Harvey’s had a half-height wall full of bin-end selections. Now I troll through the half-barrels at MacArthur’s and the racks at Wide World of Wines. With judicious choice you can walk away with interesting wine at rock bottom prices. There are several different types of wine in the dump bin.  MacArthur’s has a special category for the absolutely worst wines, the “cooking wine” selection. I suspect these might be better suited for distillation. Then there are notorious wines to avoid regardless of the cost, perhaps highly rated but terrible to drink. If you like to gamble there are those of low-fill or signs of seepage that could be worth the risk. Finally there are good bottles marked down in cost simply because they represent the last odd bottle or two in the store.

Avignon, Baedeker's Southern France, 1914

Both of the wines in this post were purchased for $20 or less. I got the Font de Michelle from MacArthur’s and the Bosquet du Papes from Wide World of Wine. The cheapest prices on wine-searcher are $35 for the Font de Michelle and $60 for the Bosquet des Papes. I personally think that anyone who would pay $60 for the Bosquet is nuts.  Other Dump Bin wines in this blog include the 2000 Mourre du Tendre, 2001 Janasse, Terre d’Argile, 1999 Gourt des Mautens, amongst a few others.  These sorts of wines will now be tagged “Notes From the Dump Bin” to honor a comment from P.

1998 Domaine Font de Michelle, Chateauneuf du Pape
This is a blend of 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 10% Cinsault/Counoise/Terret Noir/Muscardin.  The Grenache is aged in foudres or tanks, the Syrah and Mourvedre are aged in newer barriques for 16 months.  Then the final blend is aged six months in tank.  This wine is a light+ garnet with bricking on the rim.  It has a light nose of funky, earthy aromas, and some roast.  In the mouth there are dense, dark, red fruit flavors.  There is a sense of gentle power lurking here.  The flavors expand in the mouth giving way to blue fruits and minerals in the finish.  There are some chunky tannins that come out in the aftertaste.  This wine is still youthful and not as complex as the Bosquet du Papes.  An awesome buy for this single bottle.  ***(*) Now-2017.

1998 Bosquet des Papes, Chateauneuf du Pape
This is a blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 5% Cinsault.  The vines average 50 years of age and the wine is aged in foudres.  This is a lighter color with a clearer, garnet core and more bricking than the Fond de Michelle.  It has a light nose of earthy, spices, forest, and old wood box.  In the mouth is is more mature in flavor, with ethereal, wood box aromas and spices.  The wine fills the mouth with red fruit and minerals.  I suspect is is now drinking at its peak.  Another good buy that I was able to purchase a few of.  **** Now-2015.

1999 Domaine de la Pinede, Chateauneuf du Pape

About one week prior to our 1999 tasting we drank a bottle of the Pinede.  The bottle I opened at the tasting was corked so I thought I’d post a note from a good bottle.  Wide World of Wines had a March Madness sale where a number of Rhones were $20.  While the 2000 Raymond Usseglio, Chateauneuf du Pape was completely boring the Pinede was actually worthwhile.  I am normally put off by a wine where the nose entices but the flavors lets down.  But in this case I suprisingly found myself liking it!  Jenn enjoyed it as well.  Definitely worth $20 but not $30+.

This wine is typically a blend of 60% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, and 20% Mourvedre and Muscardin.  It is aged in both foudre and tank for up to 18 months.

1999 Domaine de la Pinede, Chateauneuf du Pape
This wine has a medium-clear brown-brick color that looks old.  There is a medium+ nose of strong, aged aromas with immediate waves of garrigue.  The body doesn’t follow the nose and instead is lighter showing notes of cedar, tart, herbed red berries.  The flavors take on a greater tart profile with several hours of air.  The aftertaste has an enjoyable dusty, red cherry aftertaste.  ** Now-2014.

Tasting Notes from the 1999 Dinner

 

Here are my tasting notes from our 1999 dinner.  I was running around a bit so my notes are a bit casual.  However, Lou will eventually be posting his notes.  He was able to taste the Trimbach and Meulenhof on the second night.

The Whites

1999 Jean Noel Gagnard , Clos de la Maltroye 1er Cru, Chassagne-Montrachet, Burgundy
This wine had a light nose of yeast, toasted, and reduction.  It was rounder in the mouth, a bit coarse with tannins and some heat.  There was apple-like acidity and some lavender/perfume with air.  This was drinkable but not in the best shape.  Good thing it was a bin-end.  * Now.

1999 Trimbach, Gewurztraminer, Cuvee des Seigneurs Ribeaupierre, Alsace
This showed a light-medium color of straw with touches of gold.  A light to medium nose of tropical fruit.  In the mouth there were steely flavors of mango in this medium bodied wine.  The flavors leaned towards floral highlights.  It was a little flabby towards the finish.  ** Now.

The Reds

1999 Torbreck, The Steading, Barossa (Group 1st, My 1st)
The nose revealed waves of rich fruit and spices galore.  The rich fruit continued into the mouth with a youthful core of black fruits and lovely spices in the aftertaste.  A very well made wine with good complexity.  **** Now-2017.

1999 R.H. Phillips, EXP Viaje, Syrah (Group 2nd)
This had the sweetest nose of the reds.  It came across as a rather young wine with ample red fruit, pepper, and spices in the finish.  There were darker fruit flavors in the aftertaste.  On the second night it was just a softer version as there were gobs of fruit and spice and a dark fruit aftertaste.  ***(*) Now-2019.

1999 Bruno Clair, Gevrey-Chambertin Clos St. Jacques, 1er Cru (Group 3rd, My 3rd)
This showed softer, more fruit driven flavors.  It had a strong, pure Pinot Noir like profile.  It was a very enjoyable and easy wine to drink.  It is still young and only just starting to show hints of complexity.  My only complaint is that the flavors thinned out a bit in the finish.  **(*) 2015-2022.

1999 Fattoria de Felsina Berardanga, Rancia, Chianti Classico (Group 4th, My 2nd)
This sported a light, lithe nose of blackcurrant.  There were fine tannins that coated the mouth.  Good aftertaste, good wine.  On the second night it had a light, scented nose followed by calm, complex flavors in the mouth.  It was still going strong.  **** Now-2017.

1999 Chateau Musar, Bekaa Valley (Group tied 5th)
A little bit of nail polish on the night.  Then sweet, round fruit in the mouth, lean finish and flavors turning towards bright blue fruit.  A seriously underperforming bottle and nothing like the one I had last year. * Now.

1999 Tardieu-Laurent, Vieilles Vignes, Saint-Joseph (Group tied 5th, My 4th)
This had flavors of red fruit with an underlying layer of supportive dark fruit.  It turned towards red fruit in the finish, somewhat tart, but with a nice woodsy character.  ** Now-2015.

1999 Hardys, Shiraz, Eileen Hardy, South Australia (Group 7th)
This had one of the darkest core of color.  It strutted New World Syrah aromas with Eucalyptus notes that reminded me if Jim Barry’s Cover Drive.  The flavors followed the nose.  The long aftertaste persisted with red fruits and herbs.  On the second night it continued to sport Eucalyptus that was very fresh and pure.  ** Now-2017.

1999 Paitin di Pasquero-Elia, Barbaresco (Group 8th)
Very old-looking with a lot of bricking and some garnet.  This had a restrained nose, volatile acidity, and just hints of complex, light fruit.  But in the mouth the fruit was also very learn and overwhelmed by a heavy amount of harsh tannins and coarse aftertaste.  On the second night it still had a wooded nose, lean fruit, and overwhelming tannins. * Now.

1999 E. Pira and Figli, Via Nuova, Barolo (Group 9th)
A light color in the glass.  There was a lifted nose of cedar.  In the mouth there were woodsy flavors of roses, light+ acidity, and coarse but ripe tannins that coated the lips.  It came across as totally shut down.  On the second night it showed more scented roses on the nose.  In the mouth the fruit was gritty and red, with dark red fruit in the aftertaste.  More lip coating tannins. *(**) 2017-2022.

1999 Font de Michelle, Cuvee Etienne Gonnet,Chateauneuf du Pape (Corked)
This wine was corked.  Not Rated.

Dessert

1999 Meulenhof, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Auslese, Mosel
I was running around at this point so I did not take a note.  But I remember a lovely golden color, good lush flavors there were perfectly supported by the acidity.  There is plenty of life left but so easy to drink.  A bargain at $25 per 500 mL.  *** Now-2022.

Extra Wines

1999 Domaine Les Paillieres, Gigondas
In the glass there is a medium ruby/garnet core.  This wine is still young, shows good dark fruit, minerals, and some inky/glycerine qualities.  The flavors turn towards pepper in the finish followed by good, coarse tannins that coat the mouth.  A very drinkable wine.  *** Now-2015.

1999 Gourt du Mautens, Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rasteau
A very youthful wine with grippy, gritty fruit flavors.  A little bit of freshness, nice mouthfeel, and plenty of fine tannins from wood.  Even less advanced than the Paillieres.  I preferred the Paillieres.  **(*) 2015-2019.

1999 Domaine du Caillou, Chateauneuf du Pape
A lighter, more acidic style of Chateauneuf.  There were medium round blue fruit flavors.  ** Now.

1999 Domaine de la Pinede, Chateauneuf du Pape (Corked)
This wine was corked.  Not Rated.

A 1999 Tasting and Dinner

On Saturday a small group crammed in to our small dinning room for a 1999 themed evening. All of the wines were of the 1999 vintage and all of the dishes were inspired by Gourmet and Bon Appetit recipes from 1999. It was an eclectic group in terms of wine experience.  Many of the bottles still contain leftover wine.  I will retaste the wines tonight then post my notes tomorrow.

White Wines
1999 Jean Noel Gagnard , Clos de la Maltroye 1er Cru, Chassagne-Montrachet, Burgundy
1999 Trimbach, Gewurztraminer, Cuvee des Seigneurs Ribeaupierre, Alsace

The ten red wines were double-decanted two hours ahead of time then brown bagged.  I have listed the red wines in order of group preference.  The Torbreck is a lovely wine and appeared to be universally liked.  The R.H. Phillips demonstrated its new world style and remains youthful.  The Bruno Clair was easy to drink and is just starting to gain complexity.  The Felsina is a really good wine and is consistently pleasing across vintages.  I personally thought the Musar was underperforming and has issues.  The Tardieu-Laurent pleased with its modern style charms.  The Hardy’s had an Aussie eucalyptus quality to it.  I thought the Paitin was coarse and showing some VA.  the Pira and Figli is quite young and shutdown but will be lovely in the future.

Red Wines
1999 Torbreck, The Steading, Barossa
1999 R.H. Phillips, EXP Viaje, Syrah
1999 Bruno Clair, Gevrey-Chambertin Clos St. Jacques, 1er Cru
1999 Fattoria de Felsina Berardanga, Rancia, Chianti Classico
1999 Chateau Musar, Bekka Valley
1999 Tardieu-Laurent, Vieilles Vignes, Saint-Joseph
1999 Hardys, Shiraz, Eileen Hardy, South Australia
1999 Paitin di Pasquero-Elia, Barbaresco
1999 E. Pira and Figli, Via Nuova, Barolo
1999 Font de Michelle, Cuvee Etienne Gonnet,Chateauneuf du Pape (Corked)

Sweet Wine
1999 Meulenhof, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Auslese, Mosel

Bonus Wines
1999 Domaine Les Paillieres, Gigondas
1999 Gourt du Mautens, Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rasteau
1999 Domaine du Caillou, Chateauneuf du Pape
1999 Domaine de la Pinede, Chateauneuf du Pape (Corked)

1999 California, Washington, and Bordeaux wine dinner

Our usual group gathered this past weekend for a tasting of 1999 wines from California, Bordeaux, and Washington. It was hosted at Lou and Adrienne’s house. They were joined by Dave, Deniz, Todd, Marissa, Adam, Jenn, and myself.

We started off with the 2002 Argyle Brut then moved on to the 2006 Peay Chardonnay before working our way through the red wines.

All wines were tasted blind. They were also decanted for sediment at 4:30pm. Lou threw in the 2000 Merlust Merlot ringer, purchased for 117 Rand. At the time he didn’t reveal anything about the ringer. The Canon La Gaffeliere was a group favorite followed by the Meerlust. The Meerlust is a best buy.

Here are the groups rankings:
Wine #1 – 35 points – 1999 Ch. Canon La Gaffeliere
Wine #2 – 27 points – 2000 Meerlust Merlot
Wine #3 – 19 points – 1999 Andrew Will, Sorella
Wine #4 – 14 points – 1999 Ch. Gracia
Wine #5 – 12 points – 1999 Ridge, Monte Bello

These three tight for 6th with 8 points each:
Wine #6 – 1999 Andrew Will, Merlot, Ciel du Cheval
Wine #6 – 1999 Ch. Pontet Canet
Wine #6 – 1999 Ch. La Tour Haut Brion

2002 Argyle, Brut
Apples on the nose with mild fizz that feels like a slightly older bottle. Yeasty with medium length and perhaps a touch of cinnamon.

2006 Peay, Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
Very light straw color and cloudy. A light nose of crisp, lemon zest and citrus. Slightly creamy in the mouth with some minerals. A nice wine that some found slightly detracting by some warmth and overtly toasted oak in the finish.

Flight #1
1 – 1999 Ch. Pavie-Macquin, St. Emillion
The nose on this wine disappeared rapidly leaving the fruit behind and impressions of oak, cedar, and some soy sauce. In the mouth there were lean blue/red fruits that got leaner towards the finish where a moderate amount of stout tannins took hold.

2 – 1999 Andrew Will, Merlot, Ciel du Cheval, Red Mountain, Columbia Valley
There was initially some sulphur that blew off to reveal a strong nose of old-world smells: stink, barnyard, and some smokiness. In the mouth there were roundish red fruits that were underripe and overpowered by the tart acidity.

3 – 1999 Ch. Pontet Canet, Pauillac
A medium nose of high-toned, lifted smoke and tobacco. In the mouth the palate really follows the nose with cool blue fruits developing/expanding in the middle. Powerful, fine+ tannins come across in the finish. Almost austere compared to the Meerlust.

4 – 2000 Meerlust, Merlot, Stellenbosch
A muted nose compared to the first three. In the mouth ripe red berries, dark olives, make way to very fine tannins that coat the front of the mouth. There is a fair amount of power and the tannins are quite nice. It gave the impression of needing more time but in the glass it faded with time and became more vegetal compared to the Canon La Gaffeliere.

Flight #2
5 – 1999 La Sirena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Volatile acidity on the nose followed by red cranberries. In the mouth there are soft red-liquor and raspberry flavors that make way to a weak somewhat stinky finish. Eh.

6 – 1999 Ch. La Tour Haut Brion, Pessac-Leognan
Very light nose. There are cool blue fruits, cassis, pencil lead, and tobacco with a thread of minerals the last through the finish. A strong wine that some found hard to drink. When revisited the core of dark blue fruit was still growing but stayed simple in flavor, not getting more complex.

7 – 1999 Ridge Montebello
Chunky red/blue fruit on the nose. Big in the mouth with nice fruit, leaving impressions of power and reminding you with the assertive tannins. I preferred this over #6. When revisisted I found aromas of lipstick and flavors of dusty, herbs, and green fruit. A decent wine that probably will not get better.

8 – 1999 Cornerstone, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
A strong almost singular nose of green pepper with some black pepper spiciness. This immediately turned off half of the group. In the mouth, good weight, not heavy but powerful green pepper flavors supported by watering acidity, and some sweetness/liquorice in the finish. Eh.

Flight #3
9 – 1999 Ch. Gracia, St. Emilion
A light+ earthy nose with good aromatics right away. Some found brett and cooked meat. Good weight to the fruit but there was some heat mixed in with the moderate tannins and toast. Revisited later it became more out of balance and developed a very light nose of candied popcorn.

10 – 1999 Andrew Will, Sorella
Red cherries on the nose with some finding too much green. In the mouth more red fruits with citrus like acidity, high-toned, sweet blue fruit with some dustiness. There was a good amount of fruit to this wine that some liked and other thought this was a liquid vegetable cart. Revisisted later it was fading and didn’t last long.

11 – 1999 Ch. Canon La Gaffeliere, St. Emilion
A light, delicate nose with chocolate, meat, and coffee. Lovely in the mouth with cool blue fruits in a undoubtedly rich and full bodied package, that develop into a dark fruit aftertase. Revisited later the wine was still developing with grainy fruit, darker flavors, and some spice coming out. Well done, some thought this must be the ringer and a 2000 Bordeaux.

12 – 1999 Behrens & Hitchcock, Cuvee Lola
Very severe volatile acidity with cherry flavors. Some, like myself, decided to try it and immediately launched it into the spitton. Synthetic cork I believe.

Flight #4 – Let’s drink some more!
1999 Clos du Papes, Chateauneuf du Pape
Focused fresh, bright red berries but not to the purity of Charvin. More red berries in the mouth, this wine is slow to develop and puts on weight with air. Definitely stands out compared to the previous 12 wines. Nice, give it more time or more air.

1982 Ch. Potensac, Medoc
A medium nose of sweaty cedar and some sweetness. A bit sour in the mouth, slightly fading fruit, but the core flavors are there. There are still some unresolved tannins. Better than the 1982 Rouget and in no state of dropping off the cliff but it is best to drink up.

Enjoy!