A French Friday Night on the Deck

Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)
Tasted Friday, June 20, 2014 by rocknroller with 216 views

Introduction

My sister was here for the weekend while doing a weekend conference and it was a good excuse to drink some wine on a gorgeous Friday evening. We eased through a trio very enjoyable bottles through the course of the evening. Paired the Chapoutier with some Salumi and Havarti, the Bollinger Special Cuvee with a pear/avocado/gorgonzola salad, and the CDP with pork saltimbocca.

Flight 1 (3 Notes)

  • 2011 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône Rosé Belleruche 89 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

    Light-medium salmon color. PNP, drank 2 glasses over an hour. Boy this was stellar on a toasty evening on the deck with some antipasti. Very fresh and clean with nice earthiness, cherry and a bit of strawberry and decent minerality. Well crafted. Probably even a touch better than I remembered. Holding very well.

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  • NV Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvée Brut 93 Points

    France, Champagne

    Light gold color. PNP, drank 2+ glasses over 90 minutes. This bottle had 3.5 years of cellaring and was quite compelling. Copious fine bubbles bursting forth, the nose is creamy, nutty, almond, green apple, pear, minerals. The palate is distinctly creamy, nutty, tart pear, tart green apple, citrus, good body, focused and very clean minerality. Medium plus finish. Complex and very enjoyable with the bottle age really showing. 93+pts.

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  • 2000 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Chante Le Merle Vieilles Vignes 92 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    Medium dark brick red color. PNP, drank 2 glasses over 90 minutes. This was a beautiful bottle to end the night with and paired quite well with pork saltimbocca. The nose was complex and elegant with damp forest floor, red licorice, cherry, garrigue, spices, lavender, and distinct bacon fat early on. The palate is medium-plus bodied, elegant and sophisticated, fully mature, cherry, dried herbs, savory, bacon, there is a gorgeous blend of red fruit and earth that is enhanced by a lovely spiced quality. The tannins are silky and there is a long finish. I think this can go another few years, but it is wonderful now. 92+pts.

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