| | The theme was Northern Rhône. Everybody brought one or two bottles. Only the host knew the complete line-up. All wines were tasted blind. - 2013 Domaine Yves Cuilleron Marsanne Les Vignes d'à Côté - France, Vin de France
The bouquet is not very expressive but shows some white fruits and blossom. On the palate not really outspoken either. There is some white fruit, citrus and green apple acidity. Almonds and bitterness as well. A very correct and clean, well balanced wine, but it just doesn’t give what you hope for. 86 – 87. (87 pts.)
- 2013 Domaine Yves Cuilleron Roussanne Les Vignes d'à Côté - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes
Although the wine is not extremely expressive, there is some yellow fruits and toast in the bouquet. On the palate yellow and white fruits, some caramel, vanilla and smoke. Firm acidity and bitterness. Fairly full bodied, but not really outspoken. (87 pts.)
- 2013 François Villard Viognier Les Contours de DePoncins - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes
The wine has developed over the last 6 months and my tasting note is quite different. This evening the wine mainly showed ripe white fruits, flowers and some citrus in the bouquet. On the palate yellow fruits like bananas, peach, mango and pineapple, flowers, green herbs and tangerine. Some grapefruit in the finish. Overall an aromatic wine with a good length. (89 pts.)
- 2013 François Villard Condrieu Les Terrasses du Palat - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu
The bouquet shows minerals and rustic flavors. On the palate aromatic white and yellow fruits like ripe pineapple and mango. Some anise, banana, oak, laurel and mineral as well. A very tasty wine with good acidity and some bitterness in the finish. Good and expressive wine now and the next few years. (90 pts.)
- 2010 M. Chapoutier Crozes-Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage
The bouquet is still youthful with cherries and red berries, lactic and primary. There are some minerals and leather as well. On the palate dark berries and cherries, leather and salty licorice. Firm acidity and tannin which is slightly drying. Not extremely refined, but certainly ok and no problem to wait for a few more years. (87 pts.)
- 2006 Alain Paret St. Joseph 730 Nuits - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph
In the bouquet dark forest fruits, strawberries and cherries. Some brown spiced biscuit and minerals. On the palate firm. Dark berries and cherries, a bit rustic, some toast, firm acidity and round and sticky tannin with still some bite. A few people thought this wine is at the end of its life. I have one more bottle, so we will see. This bottle performed less good compared to the bottle I had last week. (that TN will follow later.) (88 pts.)
- 2009 Michel & Stéphane Ogier Côte-Rôtie - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
In the bouquet a bit sweet, ripe dark forest fruits, dark cherries and cassis and some toast. On the palate a lot of dark berries, minerals, leather and licorice. Beautiful juicy acidity and round tannin with still a good bite. Pleasant bitterness in the finish. Beautiful and very pure wine which just entered its early maturity stage and offers great drinking pleasure already. Keeping it until at least 2022 will most likely be no problem. 92+ (92 pts.)
- 2003 Domaine de Corps de Loup Côte-Rôtie Cuvée Corps de Loup - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
The bouquet showed herbs and spices and reminded me a bit of soup with parsley and celery, some smoke and ink. Overall not as bad as you might think. On the palate minerals, smoke, herbs again, leather, a bit salty and some iron. Ok red fruits acidity and some tannin. Overall a bit odd and a-typical. Some thought it was really too old. For me it was still ok, but a bit special. No score.
- 2007 Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 60 - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas
Beautiful and complex bouquet with cherries, smoke, leather, spiciness, minerals, earl grey tea, white pepper and some rustic and pleasant barnyard flavors. On the palate red and dark berries, minerals, chocolate, spices, licorice and some toast and autumn impressions. Firm acidity and slightly drying tannin with still a good bite. Really beautiful wine in its young maturity stage. Cellaring until 2020 will not be a problem. (91 pts.)
- 2004 Les Vins de Vienne Cornas Les Barcillants - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas
The wine is still clear ruby red. The bouquet is beautiful with still some dark berries, herbs and spices, minerals, coffee and a bit rustic. On the palate very juicy dark berries and really spicy e.g. clove, but also cinnamon. Some eucalyptus, autumn forest and mushrooms. Good acidity and firm, slightly drying tannin. Good length. Overall a beautiful and fully mature wine, but no hurry; it will stay on this level for one or two years. (91 pts.)
- 1999 M. Chapoutier Hermitage La Sizeranne - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Beautifully mature, complex and refined bouquet with minerals, herbs and spices, coffee, chocolate, iodine, toast, autumn impressions and pleasant barnyard. On the palate minerals, chocolate, soft spiciness, coffee, mocha, vanilla, toast and some metal. Soft acidity and smooth and friendly tannin. A really beautiful and fully mature wine in a beautiful drinking stage. It will not improve anymore and it is probably wise to drink it now or next year. (92 pts.)
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