| | We decided to do a simple sunday-night dinner at home, theme being home-style northern chinese. Jada is a fellow Rhone fan, and we decided to treat our friends/significant others to a 1998 mini taste-off between northern and southern Rhones. Jada brought a couple of smashing cote roties, and I supplied the CDPs. - 2004 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Réserve - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Pale yellow colour, with a somewhat muted nose. On the palate, beautiful flavours of lychee, pineapple, orange peel and honeysuckle emerged. I wonder what it was like when first released -- have to believe it had more freshness then? A very nice white CDP, though this example may lend credence to the school of thought that CDP whites should generally be consumed within 1-2 years of release. (90 pts.)
- 1998 Jean-Michel Gerin Côte-Rôtie La Landonne - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
It was a delight to come across this rare and delicious cote-rotie. The nose was distinctly northern rhone Syrah with its delightful combination of dark fruits, flowers and meats [not the most elegant description perhaps, but that's what came to mind!]. Notes of leather were also present in this refined, medium bodied cote-rotie, which IMO is fully mature and drinking very nicely. An absolute treat (93 pts.)
- 1998 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
A fine CDP made very much in the traditional style. Mineral, licorice, dates and dark fruit notes were very noticeable, and the wine is quite full bodied with layer upon layer of flavours washing over the palate. The warmth of the La Crau micro-climate is very much in evidence, esp. in comparison with the 1998 Rayas opened alongside -- the two could not be more different in style and character, quite an amusing contrast (91 pts.)
- 1998 Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie La Landonne - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Intoxicating Syrah bouquet with delicate floral hints lurking behind the more dominant notes of pepper, toast, and beef blood. Medium to full bodied, with a juicy core of black fruit and a terrific 40 second finish. A very refined Cote Rotie, good stuff indeed. (93 pts.)
- 1998 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Once again, quite amusing to open a wine that looks so much lighter than it tastes. This is turning out to be a full-on CDP, albeit with the usual Rayas refinements. Rich notes of red fruit, kirsch liquer and provencal herbs were all present in the heady bouquet. At first pour, the wine seemed somewhat on the lighter side, but quickly put on weight in the decanter, becoming much fuller, rounder and more complex towards the end of the evening. Very finely made wine indeed, although I must admit a slight preference for the 1999. (94 pts.)
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