3/7/2010 - Griffin wrote:

12.5% vol
No formal notes, unfortunately. Drank over a week-and-a-half. The most memorable impression was on Day 2 or 3 of a rose bush on the palate (as in flowers and the green leaves and woody stems and branches). Various citrus notes through out the tasting period. On the final drops from the bottle there is a lingering taste and sensation on the back of the palate that reminds me of coconuts. Some crème brûlée on the long finish as well.

1/26/2010 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol)
Pale-golden color. Rich nose after immediately opening the wine. After 3 days the nose is still inviting (lemons, minerals and a "synthetic" or waxy note that I cannot put my finger on). It has a clean mouthfeel and is smooth on the palate and I really like the subtle and well integrated acidity on the finish and lingering tastes of shell fish, herbs (maybe dill) and stones. (All notes from Day 3)
I am appreciating the novelty of this wine; un-grafted vines that grow wild (en foule?), hand picked, only one or two barrels produced a year. I still find the wines from this Domaine to be a bit "light" and I do find this wine to be a bit pricey.
Additional notes - Very heavy bottle with a wax casing over the cork and a very deep punt. Drank out of a Bordeaux glass.

9/5/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(11% vol)
Opened for a few days. Honey notes on the nose; too much sugar on the palate for me to really appreciate what I perceive as rather beautiful characteristics underneath. Acidity comes on almost a tad too much on the finish.

9/3/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(14.5% vol)
No formal notes, nice balance of herbs and fruit on the palate; felt clean in the mouth. Nice to quaff but also went well with lamb and couscous the first night and pizza the second night. I don't perceive the heat.

8/16/2009 - Griffin wrote:

Sweet, almost jammy and caramel taste on the palate with raspberries on the finish. Feels "thick" on the finish, somewhat like honey.

7/29/2009 - Griffin wrote:

After being open for 4 days there was some lovely nutty notes on the palate. I personally felt that it was more enjoyable than a '95 Coulee de Serrant from N. Joly, which had been open for 3 days (although the Joly was a VERY interesting wine).

7/29/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol)
Brief notes -- After about 1 hour in the decanter I thought that the wine stood up well to a spicy cinnamon seasoned duck breast as the spice and fruit came through. After about 4 hours there was the most concentrated and unmistakable note of roses on the nose palate and finish. Beautiful!

7/7/2009 - Griffin wrote:

No formal notes, but I am enjoying the fullness and richness of this bottle which I couldn't detect last year.

7/4/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13.5% vol)
Paler than I expected, but as a NZ expression of Viognier I personally am very pleased; the candied richness and apricots of the varietal were captured along with the floral notes on the nose, but the finish rich, but also pure, clean and refreshing. no, it is not a Condrieu, but it is a damned good drink!

6/28/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol)
Deep purple colour; the "head" dissipates very quickly; hard to judge as it seems to be just a red wine with bubbles and served too chilled (my fault). Should not be refrigerator cold as the mouthfeel and palate (after warming in the mouth) shows more interesting aspects (floral notes (perhaps violets) and maybe some cacao/coffee.

6/28/2009 - Griffin wrote:

No formal notes; the wine was a bit "steely" and thin; decided to use it for risotto.

6/27/2009 - Griffin wrote:

No formal notes; tasted along side the '90. The '90 had a lot to offer and still seemed youthful. The '85 in comparison seemed to have peaked and I couldn't imagine it getting any better with age (perhaps it was just completely overshadowed by the '90).

6/27/2009 - Griffin wrote:

No formal notes; tasted along side the '85. The '90 had a lot to offer and still seemed youthful. The '85 in comparison seemed to have peaked and I couldn't imagine it getting any better with age (perhaps it was just completely overshadowed by the '90).

6/23/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(14% vol) Drank along side of a 1998 Gaja Barbaresco
A brick colour; not yielding much on the nose at first but then "exploded" wit animal notes, spice, soy, beef blood (later there were roses and a woody note); licorice on the palate and finish. However, as I recall, this symphony of notes and flavours seemed to die out after about 4 hours.

6/23/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(14% vol) drank along side a 1997 Costa Russi
deep purple with an orange tinge; fruit, berries and flowers on the nose (later violets and roses). B- said that it was true to type and although a very enjoyable bottle, it didn't evolve as drastically as the Costa Russi.

6/19/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol)
No formal notes and no decanting; delicious spice notes on the palate and finish. Very enjoyable now even though I expected it to be more closed and unapproachable.

6/19/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(12.5% vol)
brif note: drank along side the '03; double decanting - seemed more "classical" in style but as seemed rather green.

6/19/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(12.5% vol)
brief note -- drank along side the '02; double decanted; more fruity and ripe as expected when compared to the '02.

6/19/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol)
brief note - tasted (shared) besides the '02 and '03 Lynch.Moussas and the '03 Meyney. This was my favorite bottle of the evening (did not decant nor was there the chance for extended exposer to air before finishing the bottle). F- thought that it was corked but J- and I quickly corrected F-; there was a type animal funk (musk?) at first with plenty of pencil shavings and some oak.

6/16/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol)
No formal notes; this rather memorable wine was enjoyed on a day that I would like to forget. I found it very enjoyable immediately after opening and without decanting. I do recall that the acidity was noticeable but pleasantly subdued. I would hope to try this wine under more joyful circumstances.

6/12/2009 - Griffin wrote:

After recently tasting the 1990 and 1985 Chave Hermitage, and using them as comparisons, I am still very satisfied with the individuality and personality shown in this wine.

6/12/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13.5% vol)
Deep ruby color; not much on the the nose after first opening; prunes and licorice on the palate and finish. Some toast and wood notes as well. Seems to be a bit filling. This wine is not doing it for me at the moment (perhaps in another setting). J- didn't like it.

6/4/2009 - Griffin wrote:

With the amount of fruit and acidity in this wine I know that it can last for at least a decade. But it is so tasty!

6/3/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol)
A ruby/violet colour; nose of earth, fruit and spice; clean mouth feel with some pepper and a candied-floral note on the palate and finish (perhaps blueberries?). I find this to be a very pleasant wine and reasonable for the price. J- did think that the acidity did become too much after dinner was finished. I would buy it again (purchased and consumed the same day and needed to put in fridge to cool the bottle down from the ambient temperature of the shop).

5/22/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol)
Unfiltered-Deep yellow colour and did seem to have a reddish hue. This wine seemed to be a Joly mimic (yet still very enjoyable). I remember the clear apple and petrol notes on the palate. The wine seemed to get better after exposure to air but was a mismatch to both warm and cold goat cheese (I really wanted to try the wine with espoisse cheese. I hesitate to say that the wine was less interesting on the second day as I wasn't able to focus on the wine itself.

5/21/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol)
Brief notes - leather, fruit, and animal notes on the nose (Days 1 and 2), very enjoyable (more so on Day 2) with the acidity was more muted on Day 2; notes of smoke, wood, charcoal, and cassis on the finish; nice clean mouthfeel.

5/17/2009 - Griffin wrote:

Now I think that this wine is starting to show the lovely mineral backbone and delicious citrus notes that prompted me to buy it at the tasting 2 years ago.

5/17/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(10.x % vol - I forgot the last digit)
A rather dark rosé in my opinion. Classic Cab. Franc experience, but with bubbles! I very much enjoyed the wine, but J- wasn't too crazy about it; T- enjoyed it and also really appreciated the the finesse and subtleness to the bubbles on the palate (very nice, especially for an ecologically produced wine). I will buy it again, but I wouldn't want to drink it ice cold as there are too many interesting fruit note as well as a real sense of individuality.

5/17/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol)
Deep ruby with the the narrowest rim of bricking. The nose was not as enticing, nor forthcoming, as the palate. There were some rich, ripe, and juicy cherry notes as well as some cured meat and smoke (as in fireplace) on the palate. A rich finish that mirrors the notes on the palate. The wine didn't blow me away and I can't say that I detected any individuality, however, it was very nice and J- enjoyed it very much.

5/15/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13.8% vol)
I thought that this was a rather decent bottle of wine (especially as I don't drink that many Italian wines). I detected some fruit , (smoke?) and animal notes on the nose. I thought that the alcohol was very well integrated as I didn't perceive any heat and I also found the wine to be quite quaffable without food (but it was a mismatch with éspoisse). There was a perception of sweetness/fullness on the palate. Personally, I wouldn't mind having 2 or 3 bottles around.

5/10/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol)
A deep and rich ruby colour; Spice and fruit on the nose (I was too tired to try to discern specific notes), even a sensation of baby powder. Cherries. I'm getting the impression that I can taste the fullness and what I perceive as a "cola" note that I'm starting to associate with Gevrey-Chambertins (youngish wines). I also had the strongest desire to eat some aged, soft and runny cheese while drinking this wine.

5/10/2009 - Griffin wrote:

Agree with previous comments (even my own). I had hoped that the fruit would have been more subdued when I tried the second bottle but perhaps this is the "hint of overripeness" that Stephen Brook noted in his book.

5/6/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol)
No formal notes. The amount of acidity made me think that I opened this wine too soon. J- also found it too sharp. But its potential is evident.

5/6/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol?)
No formal notes. I have to say that I enjoyed tasting this wine more than drinking it. There were some persistent cherry notes from the nose throughout to the finish.

5/3/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(14% vol) 50% syrah, 50% grenache
No formal notes. Deep purple colour. The wine was double-decanted and did It went very well with a rustic dish of lentilles du Puy. The alcohol was very well integrated and the last glasses were the most interesting.

4/29/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13.5% vol) Grenache blanc 70%, macabeu 20%, Carignan 10%
No formal notes. I tasted 3 separate bottles last week with consistent impressions. Upon first opening there was a note of white flowers but the palate seems a bit thin/shallow yet there was something hauntingly captivating about it. After being open for a while I had perceptions that reminded me of the mineral notes from a Loire and pine notes from an aged Bourgogne. I would suggest decanting but it is a fun journey experiencing how his wine evolves.

4/29/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol)
No formal notes. Both J- and I found this to be a rose with more depth and character than expected (it also was a bit more expensive).

4/18/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(12.5% vol)
No formal notes. I like the bit of spice on the palate and finish, otherwise I find it too sharp, thin and rather uninteresting. Overall I think that this would be an unfortunate introduction to the wines of Bourgogne. I doubt that I would even order this by the glass (opened the bottle the same day that it was purchased).
Day 2 - surprisingly this wine was a nice yet simple quaffer along side a serving of crab cakes.

4/18/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(14 %)
No formal notes. Sweet cherry note with a bitter smoked wood taste (but balanced) on the palate; seems to have a bit of some residual bubbles.

4/17/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13.5%)
Golden colour; nose of minerals/chalk and lemons - but still a ball of notes that I can't quite decipher; some what sweet and full mouth-feel; palate of lemon drops First New World Viogner I've had in years, but I prefer to stick to the Old World. I would prefer to brink this wine in a warm setting with some spicy grilled shrimp or a spice Asian seafood dish.

4/9/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13.8% vol)
I completely concur with KBP's comments below. I actually avoid buying and drinking CdPs, mainly due to the high alcohol content which really affects me, but this wine is adorable! J- is enjoying this wine as well.

4/9/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol)
No formal notes: a bit meaty, fruity , and spicy on the palate with some floral notes on the finish. This quaffer has more depth than the 2006 (however, I do experience a great deal of bottle variation from the wine bar where I bought this bottle).

4/9/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol) Layers of flavour with a definite note of honeycombs on finish. Too tired to fully analize but very enjoyable and held up well to a seafood stew with pasta.
Brief notes from a second bottle (weeks later) - pineapple and smoke (similar to a desert)

4/5/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(12% vol)
Opened yesterday. First Reisling in a long time. Not a bad quaffer. Pale golden colour; nose of honey, minerals (flint?), white flowers(?), and perhaps straw. I was expecting petrol but I can't say that I can detect any on the nose, but there seems to be a hint of it on the finish. For the mouthfeel the wine is a little thin and there is a steely citrus note on the finish. I would buy it again, but not too many bottles.

4/3/2009 - Griffin wrote:

No formal notes but I am thoroughly enjoying this wine as I quaff it on a Friday evening after a hectic week. It has also been awhile since I've had a chardonnay and I was really in the mood for one. I like the citrus notes, the touch of smoke and the minerals. Feels very clean on the finish.

3/15/2009 - Griffin wrote:

This is a tremendously enjoyable wine; a long finish with succulent cherry notes, and a "grip" or some kind of characteristic , which I can't quite pinpoint, that reminds me that this wine comes from the Champagne region. The combination of the sweetness, acidity, spices, herbs, and flavours of cherries and strawberries blend in to give this wine an almost "candy-like" enjoyment. J- is equally amazed by this wine. Drank over 2+ hours. (Note about the herbs detected - I had a lot of fresh thyme with dinner and I'm not sure that this is still influencing my impression.)

3/14/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(12% vol)
No formal notes but this is a very pleasing wine. There is enough body to make this more than an aperitif, but it is definitely enjoyable on its own. It is mouth-watering and the minerality on the nose and palate is lovely. J- also liked this wine very much.

3/8/2009 - Griffin wrote:

No formal notes. There was just too much bubble gum on the palate for my taste (even after 3 days in the fridge). But the wine contributed to a lovely coq au vin.

3/8/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(12.5% vol)
I'm enjoying this wine much more on Day 2 than I did yesterday, even though it was decanted for 1+ hours. A rather rich brick-red colour. There is a freshness to the nose with roses, caramel, cedar, and some earthy notes present (these aromas are tightly wound up with one another). There is a clean and smooth mouthfeel. I do detect some floral notes as well as a little spice (cinnamon) on the palate and finish. I also think that this wine does show some individuality and overall I would say that it is a very pleasing wine. I would suspect that this wine would definitely benefit from a few more years of bottle age.

3/4/2009 - Griffin wrote:

(13% vol)
I do think that there was some cork taint but not enough to mask the true nature of this wine. Darkest purple colour and overall I found the wine just too concentrated (extracted) for my tastes to either be approachable or enjoyable (J- also didn't like it). However, I do believe that it would make a fabulous contribution should I use it in preparing coq au vin.