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Monthly Tasting Group: Loads of CDP's and more
Meritage, St. Paul
Tasted June 24, 2012 by rocknroller with 859 views
Introduction
This was the monthly tasting group event. 22 of us gathered at Meritage for the CDP based theme, and they, along with a myriad of other wines were paired with a 5 course tasting menu.
Flight 1 - Champagne Flight (2 notes)
White - Sparkling
N.V. Champagne Lallier Champagne Grand Cru Grande Réserve
91 points
Pale green color. Drank 2 glasses over 30 minutes. Nice nose with mineral, green apple, pear, light yeast. The palate is light, crisp, clean, very refreshing, bright fruit of apple and pear, nice finish. Boy was this an easy drinker. Everyone really enjoyed this. 91+pts.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Louis Bouillot Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Grande Réserve Perle de Vigne
87 points
Medium gold color. Drank 1 glass over 15 minutes. Nose shows earth, yeast, citrus, some berry, mineral. The palate is rather chalky, a bit clunky, citrus, light berry notes. Shorter finish.
Flight 2 - White Flight (3 notes)
White
2007 Domaine Pinson Frères Chablis 1er Cru Montmain
85 points
Pale gold color. Tasted one glass over 15 minutes. This was decidedly bland. Lacks any particular personality. A little citrus, a lot of nothing else.
White
2003 M. Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc Chante-Alouette
88 points
Medium-dark gold color. Tasted one glass over 15 minutes plus. This seemed tired to me, showing some heat, there wasn't a lot of fruit, nutty, viscous, heavy, spice, minerals. No where near what the 2004 was recently. There is some diffeence of opinion on the drinking window of this vintage. This bottle suggests it may well be past its prime.
White
2008 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris
92 points
This was quite delightful, full of citrus and triopical fruit, lively acids, some layering and weight on the palate, and great balance. This went well with our cheese course.
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Comment
Flight 3 - 2000's Flight of CDP's (4 notes)
Red
2000 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape
89 points
I really liked the nose on this with some classic funk, herb de provence, spice and floral notes. But I was disappointed in the palate tonight. It was disjointed, alcohol showing, burnt rubber, spicy, firmly tannic, cherry liqueur, medium full. Clos des Papes is normally one of my favorite producers, but for whatever reason, this bottle didn't show as well as expected.
Red
2000 Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Sixtine
92 points
Dark red color with mild bricking on the edges. Decanted for 30 minutes. Drank 2 glasses over 1 & 1/2 hours. Lovely nose of bacon fat, garrigue, cherry, herbs, developing floral notes and berries over time. The palate is dense, round prominent tannins, this drinks young, black cherry, spice, rich, yet still suave and balanced, nmedium plus finish. 92+pts.
Red
2000 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape
92 points
This bottle was pretty consistent with one i had about 6 months ago. Nice nose, taking a bit to open up fully and the palate following suit. Classic CDP. Very good stuff.
Flight 4 - Newer Vintage CDP's (4 notes)
Red
2006 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape
91 points
No detailed notes. Unknown treatment. Solid. 91+pts.
Red
2007 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau
94 points
Very dark red color. The nose is gorgeous with lush black fruits, licorice, spice, herbs, meaty, earth evolving. The palate is consistent with black fruits on the full bodied palate, licorice, fig, meaty, pepper, nicely balanced and well integrated tannins for the age. This was one of my favorites of the night. This is going to be even better. 94+pts.
Red
2007 Domaine de la Côte de l'Ange Châteauneuf-du-Pape
93 points
This was quite the surprise. Very nice nose of garrigue, ripe black fruits, roast meat, herbs. the palate is layered, lush, round, modern, full bodied, beautiful black fruit. This was damn good. Great QPR.
Flight 5 - Wines Passed From Other Tables (small pours) (13 notes)
Rosé - Sparkling
N.V. H. Billiot Fils Champagne Grand Cru Brut Rosé
91 points
Very small pour, but it was very tasty, nice berries, elegant palate, bright.
White - Off-dry
2007 Von Hövel Scharzhofberger Riesling Spätlese
90 points
Small pour. Second time drinking this in a couple months. This bottle came off a bit more sweet, not quite as well balanced, citrus, peach. though very good, it didn't quite hit at an ideal spot as it came around.
White
1999 M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc La Bernardine
84 points
Dark yellow color. Samll pour. nose is earthy, petrol, citrus. The palate is light, flat, citrus. tired.
Red
1995 Henri Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Marie Beurrier
89 points
small pour, no detailed notes, pretty decent.
Red
2005 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée
90 points
Small pour. I didn't take any detailed notes on this, but it was not nearly as good as the last we had it. Tight, tannic, and not in a good place to enjoy. It had been decanted for 2 hours. You can tell it's in there, but not showing tonight.
Red
2005 Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve le Clos du Caillou
Small pour. This was big and inky, full of berries: black and blue fruits, dense and spicy. Nice mouthfeel, still quite tannic. Big wine, needs some time it integrate. Unknown treatment. Impression 92-94.
Red
2009 Les Cailloux (Lucien et André Brunel) Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Small pour. Hot and ripe. Very young. Score reserved.
Red
2004 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin
92 points
Small pour. Another nice nose, ripe dark fruits, earthy, leather, florals, full bodied, firm but round tannins, still pretty young. 92+pts. I want to see this again in a 3-5 years.
Red
1998 Domaine Font de Michelle Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Etienne Gonnet
93 points
Small pour. Medium red with some bricking. Really elegant nose and palate. Garrigue, spices, cherry, smoke, dry herbs.
Red
1998 Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Prestige
Very small pour. no detailed notes. ok. Impression 89+pts.
Red
1995 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
93 points
From Magnum. This was a treat. Nose has lovely funk, earthy, leather, anise, garrigue, asian spice, cherry, mineral. The palate is elegant and soft, well integrated, balanced and drinking very well. Some thought this was corked; sorry, no way. Delicious. 93+pts.
Red - Fortified
1996 Domaine du Mas Blanc (Docteur Parcé) Banyuls Vieilles Vignes
89 points
Very small pour. Candied nose with mix fruits and spice cake. Medium finish. Works well with the chocolate torchon.
Closing
This was a wonderful night with some outstanding wines. Thanks to all for sharing your wines!