French Tasting - Cepages Tasting Group

Summer French wine tasting for our select group of 4 aficionados (plus some ringers we drank blind)

• 2007 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

  This was the 1st of 3 whites that began our lunch at 12th Street Osteria in NYC. Very clear, almost polished pale yellow color (very different than the other 2 whites, 2006 Peter Michael Belle Cote, & 2004 Corton Charley Latour. Medium bodied, it had sort of an oily or viscous mouthfeel that was in no way burdensome to the wine. Nose of fresh apples, quite full bodied. I detected lots of Sauv Blanc notes--citrus, some grassiness, great acidity, & stony minerality. Also, had notes of wood, ripe apples, perhaps some nutiness & honey accents, and good length. A very interesting wine that I would love to have again. Dave's favorite white. I scored it a 92
  
  The PM was a pale, strawlike color. Ripe fruit and toasty wood on the nose at first, though this mellowed as the wine sat in the glass. Nice mouthfeel, very soft and silky, yet decent acidity. I thought the wine to be fairly extracted, lots of bananas and sweet tropical fruit. Nicely balanced wine, if a bit too sweet for my taste, fairly long finish, overall very enjoyable. If it were unfiltered, I easily would have mistaken it for an Aubert, likely my fave Calif chard. This was Alessandro's fave white. I scored it a 92
  
  The Corton 04 had a restrained nose, was more full bodied than the other 2 whites, and had good spice, & very detectable oak still present, though not so much as to interfere with my enjoyment of the wine. Good length, fairly highly extracted but not so much as the PM. I found this wine to have more depth and complexity than did the other 2 whites, though it seemed to fade, becoming somewhat thinner in the glass (maybe it could not hold up against my truffle ravioli dish). I scored this wine a 92

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• 2006 Peter Michael Chardonnay Belle Côte 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

  This was the 2nd of 3 whites that began our lunch at 12th Street Osteria in NYC. The others were 2007 Domaine Chevalier Blanc, & 2004 Corton Charley Latour.
  This PM was a pale, strawlike color. Ripe fruit and toasty wood on the nose at first, though this mellowed as the wine sat in the glass. Medium to full bodied with a nice mouthfeel, very soft and silky, gobs of ripe fruit, but somewhat lacking in acidity. I thought the wine to be fairly extracted, lots of bananas and sweet tropical fruit. A fairly well balanced wine, if a bit too sweet for my taste, nice medium length finish, overall very enjoyable. If it were unfiltered, I easily would have mistaken it for an Aubert, likely my fave Calif chard. This was Alessandro's fave white which he scored a 95. I scored it a 92
  
  The Chevalier was a very clear, almost polished pale yellow color. Medium bodied, it had sort of an oily or viscous mouthfeel that was in no way burdensome to the wine. Nose of fresh apples, quite full bodied. I detected lots of Sauv Blanc notes--citrus, some grassiness, great acidity, & stony minerality. Also, had notes of wood, ripe apples, perhaps some nutiness & honey accents, and good length. A very interesting wine that I would love to have again. Dave's favorite white. I scored it a 92
  
  The Corton 04 had a restrained nose, was more full bodied than the other 2 whites, and had good spice, & very detectable oak still present, though not so much as to interfere with my enjoyment of the wine. Good length, fairly highly extracted but not so much as the PM. I found this wine to have more depth and complexity than did the other 2 whites, though it seemed to fade, becoming somewhat thinner in the glass (maybe it could not hold up against my truffle ravioli dish). I scored this wine a 92

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• 2004 Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

  This was the last of 3 whites that began our lunch at 12th Street Osteria in NYC. The others were 2007 Domaine Chevalier Blanc, & 2006 Peter Michael Belle Cote.
  
  A pretty medium gold color, I found the Corton 04 to have a restrained nose--I picked up faint scents of oak and maybe some minerality, but it was overwhelmed by the noses of the other 2 whites. It was more full bodied than the other 2 whites, and had good spice, & very detectable oak still present, though not so much as to overtly interfere with my enjoyment of the wine. The fruit wasn't overly ripe but was still apparent. Good length & nice minerality too. I found this wine to have slightly more depth and complexity than did the other 2 whites, though it seemed to fade, becoming somewhat thinner in the glass (maybe it could not hold up against my truffle ravioli dish). The problem with this wine, as we discussed over lunch, is that it tries to be all things to all drinkers, and as a result becomes overly commercialized. It's not 1 of those burgs that speaks of its terroir, but is more of an international style, likely in an attempt to spike its critical scores.
  
  This PM was a pale, strawlike color. Ripe fruit and toasty wood on the nose at first, though this mellowed as the wine sat in the glass. Medium to full bodied with a nice mouthfeel, very soft and silky, gobs of ripe fruit, but somewhat lacking in acidity. I thought the wine to be fairly extracted, lots of bananas and sweet tropical fruit. A fairly well balanced wine, if a bit too sweet for my taste, nice medium length finish, overall very enjoyable. If it were unfiltered, I easily would have mistaken it for an Aubert, likely my fave Calif chard. This was Alessandro's fave white which he scored a 95. I scored it a 92
  
  The Chevalier was a very clear, almost polished pale yellow color. Medium bodied, it had sort of an oily or viscous mouthfeel that was in no way burdensome to the wine. Nose of fresh apples, quite full bodied. I detected lots of Sauv Blanc notes--citrus, some grassiness, great acidity, & stony minerality. Also, had notes of wood, ripe apples, perhaps some nutiness & honey accents, and good length. A very interesting wine that I would love to have again. Dave's favorite white. I scored it a 92

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• 2003 Camille Giroud Chambertin 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin Grand Cru

  White & Red French tasting with Rick, Dave & Alessandro at 12th St Osteria in NYC.
  1st wine was Giroud Chambertin 2003: Ripe pinot showing it's age, looked older than it was. Some spice on the nose, ripe fruit too. Lots of ripe red cherries, wood, nothing memorable here. The wine was fairly one dimensional & a definite disappointment for all. Blame it on the hot vintage. This wine's fading fast.
  
  Next up-Messorio 2001, which we drank blind. Lots of cedar, wood on the nose. Dark purplish color, looked to be the youngest of our wines today, modern style. Al pinned it as Italian. I thought it to be Calif. Everyone was shocked to discover it to be 100% merlot. I found it overly tannic and still very young, which interfered with my enjoyment of the wine. Great depth of fruit, blackberries and plums, pretty well integrated & complex wine. All liked it. I scored it a 93
  
  #3 was the Charmes Chambertin Rousseau 1996. Pale redish brown in the glass, definitely showing its age. Lots of spice, barnyard, dirty socks, & overall tertiary notes on the nose. Classic mature burg nose. The wine was a shocker to me as I didn't expect much (this was my contribution), esp. after reading up on this wine. It still had great fruit, lots of spice, & forest floor with a certain musty complexity. Af first it seemed to fade in the glass, but then it came back strong with all the notes mentioned above. I scored it a 94; Al gave it a 98 and claimed this to be the essence of red burgundy. A surprisingly well-preserved and delicious bottle of wine.
  
  No.4: Gruaud Larose 1988: Deep red color, seemed very youthful still in the glass. Somewhat muted nose, but I detected dark fruits/plums. On palate, tannins have receded & integrated well into the juice, no real harsh edges here as this wine sometimes gives. Lots of plums, currant, good length. This wine has matured nicely, all its elements coming together into a very pleasant, if not overly complex mix. Never my favorite bdx but very much enjoyed this one to my pleasant surprise. I scored it 93
  
  Finished with a 2000 Sine Qua Non Noble Man Viognier. Drank blind and no one could guess. Some thought a vin du pays or a tba. Rich amber color in the glass, honey and ripe apricots on the nose. Very viscous, very decadent. Rich apricots, hints of butterscotch, a very definite nuttiness, almonds, very vibrant acidity. Very enjoyable and a nice way to end a great afternoon lunch and tasting. 94 in my humble estimation.

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• 2001 Le Macchiole Messorio Toscana IGT 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  White & Red French tasting with Rick, Dave & Alessandro at 12th St Osteria in NYC.
  1st wine was Giroud Chambertin 2003: Ripe pinot showing it's age, looked older than it was. Some spice on the nose, ripe fruit too. Lots of ripe red cherries, wood, nothing memorable here. The wine was fairly one dimensional & a definite disappointment for all. Blame it on the hot vintage. This wine's fading fast.
  
  Next up-MESSORIO 2001, which we drank blind. Lots of cedar, wood on the nose. Dark purplish color, looked to be the youngest of our wines today, modern style. Al pinned it as Italian. I thought it to be Calif. Everyone was shocked to discover it to be 100% merlot. I found it overly tannic and still very young, which interfered with my enjoyment of the wine. Great depth of fruit, blackberries and plums, pretty well integrated & complex wine. All liked it. I scored it a 93
  
  #3 was the Charmes Chambertin Rousseau 1996. Pale redish brown in the glass, definitely showing its age. Lots of spice, barnyard, dirty socks, & overall tertiary notes on the nose. Classic mature burg nose. The wine was a shocker to me as I didn't expect much (this was my contribution), esp. after reading up on this wine. It still had great fruit, lots of spice, & forest floor with a certain musty complexity. Af first it seemed to fade in the glass, but then it came back strong with all the notes mentioned above. I scored it a 94; Al gave it a 98 and claimed this to be the essence of red burgundy. A surprisingly well-preserved and delicious bottle of wine.
  
  No.4: Gruaud Larose 1988: Deep red color, seemed very youthful still in the glass. Somewhat muted nose, but I detected dark fruits/plums. On palate, tannins have receded & integrated well into the juice, no real harsh edges here as this wine sometimes gives. Lots of plums, currant, good length. This wine has matured nicely, all its elements coming together into a very pleasant, if not overly complex mix. Never my favorite bdx but very much enjoyed this one to my pleasant surprise. I scored it 93
  
  Finished with a 2000 Sine Qua Non Noble Man Viognier. Drank blind and no one could guess. Some thought a vin du pays or a tba. Rich amber color in the glass, honey and ripe apricots on the nose. Very viscous, very decadent. Rich apricots, hints of butterscotch, a very definite nuttiness, almonds, very vibrant acidity. Very enjoyable and a nice way to end a great afternoon lunch and tasting. 94 in my humble estimation.

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• 1996 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Charmes-Chambertin 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

  White & Red French tasting with Rick, Dave & Alessandro at 12th St Osteria in NYC.
  1st wine was Giroud Chambertin 2003: Ripe pinot showing it's age, looked older than it was. Some spice on the nose, ripe fruit too. Lots of ripe red cherries, wood, nothing memorable here. The wine was fairly one dimensional & a definite disappointment for all. Blame it on the hot vintage. This wine's fading fast.
  
  Next up-Messorio 2001, which we drank blind. Lots of cedar, wood on the nose. Dark purplish color, looked to be the youngest of our wines today, modern style. Al pinned it as Italian. I thought it to be Calif. Everyone was shocked to discover it to be 100% merlot. I found it overly tannic and still very young, which interfered with my enjoyment of the wine. Great depth of fruit, blackberries and plums, pretty well integrated & complex wine. All liked it. I scored it a 93
  
  #3 was the CHARMES CHAMBERTIN Rousseau 1996. Pale redish brown in the glass, definitely showing its age. Lots of spice, barnyard, dirty socks, & overall tertiary notes on the nose. Classic mature burg nose. The wine was a shocker to me as I didn't expect much (this was my contribution), esp. after reading up on this wine. It still had great fruit, lots of spice, & forest floor with a certain musty complexity. Af first it seemed to fade in the glass, but then it came back strong with all the notes mentioned above. I scored it a 94; Al gave it a 98 and claimed this to be the essence of red burgundy. A surprisingly well-preserved and delicious bottle of wine.
  
  No.4: Gruaud Larose 1988: Deep red color, seemed very youthful still in the glass. Somewhat muted nose, but I detected dark fruits/plums. On palate, tannins have receded & integrated well into the juice, no real harsh edges here as this wine sometimes gives. Lots of plums, currant, good length. This wine has matured nicely, all its elements coming together into a very pleasant, if not overly complex mix. Never my favorite bdx but very much enjoyed this one to my pleasant surprise. I scored it 93
  
  Finished with a 2000 Sine Qua Non Noble Man Viognier. Drank blind and no one could guess. Some thought a vin du pays or a tba. Rich amber color in the glass, honey and ripe apricots on the nose. Very viscous, very decadent. Rich apricots, hints of butterscotch, a very definite nuttiness, almonds, very vibrant acidity. Very enjoyable and a nice way to end a great afternoon lunch and tasting. 94 in my humble estimation.

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• 1988 Château Gruaud Larose 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  White & Red French tasting with Rick, Dave & Alessandro at 12th St Osteria in NYC.
  1st wine was Giroud Chambertin 2003: Ripe pinot showing it's age, looked older than it was. Some spice on the nose, ripe fruit too. Lots of ripe red cherries, wood, nothing memorable here. The wine was fairly one dimensional & a definite disappointment for all. Blame it on the hot vintage. This wine's fading fast.
  
  Next up-Messorio 2001, which we drank blind. Lots of cedar, wood on the nose. Dark purplish color, looked to be the youngest of our wines today, modern style. Al pinned it as Italian. I thought it to be Calif. Everyone was shocked to discover it to be 100% merlot. I found it overly tannic and still very young, which interfered with my enjoyment of the wine. Great depth of fruit, blackberries and plums, pretty well integrated & complex wine. All liked it. I scored it a 93
  
  #3 was the Charmes Chambertin Rousseau 1996. Pale redish brown in the glass, definitely showing its age. Lots of spice, barnyard, dirty socks, & overall tertiary notes on the nose. Classic mature burg nose. The wine was a shocker to me as I didn't expect much (this was my contribution), esp. after reading up on this wine. It still had great fruit, lots of spice, & forest floor with a certain musty complexity. Af first it seemed to fade in the glass, but then it came back strong with all the notes mentioned above. I scored it a 94; Al gave it a 98 and claimed this to be the essence of red burgundy. A surprisingly well-preserved and delicious bottle of wine.
  
  No.4: GRUAUD LAROSE 1988: Deep red color, seemed very youthful still in the glass. Somewhat muted nose, but I detected dark fruits/plums. On palate, tannins have receded & integrated well into the juice, no real harsh edges here as this wine sometimes gives. Lots of plums, currant, good length. This wine has matured nicely, all its elements coming together into a very pleasant, if not overly complex mix. Never my favorite bdx but very much enjoyed this one to my pleasant surprise. I scored it 93
  
  Finished with a 2000 Sine Qua Non Noble Man Viognier. Drank blind and no one could guess. Some thought a vin du pays or a tba. Rich amber color in the glass, honey and ripe apricots on the nose. Very viscous, very decadent. Rich apricots, hints of butterscotch, a very definite nuttiness, almonds, very vibrant acidity. Very enjoyable and a nice way to end a great afternoon lunch and tasting. 94 in my humble estimation.

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• 2000 Sine Qua Non Viognier Mr. K The Noble Man 94 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  White & Red French tasting with Rick, Dave & Alessandro at 12th St Osteria in NYC.
  1st wine was Giroud Chambertin 2003: Ripe pinot showing it's age, looked older than it was. Some spice on the nose, ripe fruit too. Lots of ripe red cherries, wood, nothing memorable here. The wine was fairly one dimensional & a definite disappointment for all. Blame it on the hot vintage. This wine's fading fast.
  
  Next up-Messorio 2001, which we drank blind. Lots of cedar, wood on the nose. Dark purplish color, looked to be the youngest of our wines today, modern style. Al pinned it as Italian. I thought it to be Calif. Everyone was shocked to discover it to be 100% merlot. I found it overly tannic and still very young, which interfered with my enjoyment of the wine. Great depth of fruit, blackberries and plums, pretty well integrated & complex wine. All liked it. I scored it a 93
  
  #3 was the Charmes Chambertin Rousseau 1996. Pale redish brown in the glass, definitely showing its age. Lots of spice, barnyard, dirty socks, & overall tertiary notes on the nose. Classic mature burg nose. The wine was a shocker to me as I didn't expect much (this was my contribution), esp. after reading up on this wine. It still had great fruit, lots of spice, & forest floor with a certain musty complexity. Af first it seemed to fade in the glass, but then it came back strong with all the notes mentioned above. I scored it a 94; Al gave it a 98 and claimed this to be the essence of red burgundy. A surprisingly well-preserved and delicious bottle of wine.
  
  No.4: Gruaud Larose 1988: Deep red color, seemed very youthful still in the glass. Somewhat muted nose, but I detected dark fruits/plums. On palate, tannins have receded & integrated well into the juice, no real harsh edges here as this wine sometimes gives. Lots of plums, currant, good length. This wine has matured nicely, all its elements coming together into a very pleasant, if not overly complex mix. Never my favorite bdx but very much enjoyed this one to my pleasant surprise. I scored it 93
  
  Finished with a 2000 SINE QUA NON Noble Man Viognier. Drank blind and no one could guess. Some thought a vin du pays or a tba. Rich amber color in the glass, honey and ripe apricots on the nose. Very viscous, very decadent. Rich apricots, hints of butterscotch, a very definite nuttiness, almonds, very vibrant acidity. Very enjoyable and a nice way to end a great afternoon lunch and tasting. 94 in my humble estimation.

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