Pre-Trip Dinner

A few of us got together to discuss our upcoming trip to France with the hopes to get some details sorted out. While a few things did get sorted out, this ended up being more of an excuse to get together and pull some corks than anything else...which I think we were all perfectly okay with.

• 2008 Louis Carillon Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrières

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru

  This was interesting. When we first opened it, it came across as advanced. Nose had hints of oxidation but the palate was worse with toasty and charred butter flavours and a profile that lacked freshness. We set it aside and moved on to the next wine. Three hours later the nose seemed to get fresher and more delicate with citrus, minerals and nice floral notes. The palate also seemed to freshen up with less oxidative flavours and more acidity, freshness and precision. Not nearly as good or youthful as my previous bottle (June 2012), but still very good. Now, what to do with my remaining bottles…drink or hold?

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• 2002 Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Roncières 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru

  Blair said it best when this was poured: “this is why I love Burgundy.” Beautiful nose of sappy red fruits with some developing notes of sous-bois and leather. On the palate again sappy red fruits with well-balanced acidity and with ripe and fairly elegant tannins for a NSG. Good depth here with nice structure and richness with some gamey and mineral notes on the finish. This showed the classic NSG traits I’d expect from a warmer year but also had a touch of finesse. For me this has entered its early drinking window and should continue to develop for several more years. Excellent. 91+

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• 2004 Domaine Louis Boillot et Fils Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets Flawed

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru

  Green Meanies. Not completely undrinkable but flawed none the less.

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• 1998 Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie Côte Blonde 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  And this is why I love Northern Rhone. Gorgeous and dusty nose that at first had a good deal of stank to it (not unpleasant) that eventually blew off leaving notes of dark fruit and crushed rocks with hints of pepper and floral. A tad more polished on the palate (although it still had it elements of rusticity) with gamey and meaty flavours that added complexity to the fairly concentrated and masculine dark fruit profile. Loads of structure and youthfulness here that remind you this needs another 5-10 years before hitting its peak. Excellent. 92+

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• 2000 Château Rol Valentin 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  This has a spicy nose with rich and ripe dark berry fruit. There was also a hint of custard and Bordeaux funk on the nose showing some development. In the mouth this had a lush mouthfeel with approachable tannins and a long and smooth finish. A richer wine but has enough acidity to keep it from being too soft. I think ‘opulent’ and ‘sexy’ might be appropriate adjectives here, which often are not the descriptors I look for in Bordeaux. Seems quite ready. Very good.

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• 2001 Alois Kracher Welschriesling TBA #8 Zwischen den Seen 93 Points

  Austria, Burgenland, Neusiedlersee

  From 375ml. Insane nose. Deep and complex. Mango, apricot, honey, apple and hints of caramel. Super weighty and rich yet not at all cloying because of the ridiculous amount of lively acid. Beautiful texture. I’m not usually a big fan of dessert wines but this was really, really good. Drink or hold, but I think this will only get better. Outstanding. 93+

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• 2008 Louis Jadot Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières Flawed

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru

  Medium yellow/gold colour. Fully oxidized. Sherry and caramel. Undrinkable.

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• 1999 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

  Very dusty nose with some savory red fruits and hints of leather and gaminess. Very young and structured. This was tight but did get substantially better over the course of an hour but still only a glimpse of what it will be. Needs 3-5+ years. Excellent. 91+

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