Chateauneuf Offline
Caldesi, London
Tasted September 19, 2005 by Russell Faulkner with 936 views
Introduction
After some interesting discussion on Chateauneuf styles over the summer, what better way to determine preferences than a blind offline. Vintages available from peoples cellars were limited with the best bet for the large horizontal being 1998, with a supporting cast of 1994, 1989/90 and a few 'odds'.
Flight 1 - Odds (3 notes)
Thanks also to Linden for the 'unknown' 1945, which showed some lovely sweet fruit, quite cloudy, a little bitter on the finish, great to try though
Flight 2 - 1989 / 1990 (4 notes)
Fruit has dropped away, some dusty, grippy tannin, bretty, but a nice mineral element.
Flight 3 - 1994 (2 notes)
I think these wines showed pretty well considering the vintage.
Flight 4 - 1998 (5 notes)
Only took notes on these, nothing for VT (corked?) Sabon Prestige, Bosquet or Villeneuve, mainly as they were unremarkable.
Closing
I think Caldesi did an excellent job with the food, only criticism was that we had too much, cheese OR pudding next time! Oh, and remind me never to attract peoples attention by tapping my Riedel with a pen again :(
So overall, more wines disappointed than pleased. The quality of Beaucastel did shine though, through all four vintages on show.
Why could the 1998s show so badly?
Over decanted? (all double decanted the morning before)
Closed down?
Not a vintage with characteristics that appeal to the 'panel'?
Not sure, I know it would be much simpler if they were not liked as we found them too big, too sweet and concentrated. In the end it was not so much that they were bad, just unremarkable.