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Tasting Notes for cr84

(409 notes on 371 wines)

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White
6/17/2013 - cr84 wrote:
91 points
Although Clos St Jean’s reputation is mostly built on its cuvées, the regular white blend it produces from Chateauneuf du Pape deserves some attention. Priced among some of the cheapest serious whites of the appellation, the Clos St Jean Chateauneuf white displays a greatly equilibrated nose of acacia, white flowers, with some hints of honey. Showing better than it did on release, this beauty continues on a complete, equilibrated mouth, pairing greatly with the iodine brought by oysters. The final is short and not as complex as one would expect giving the gorgeous nose and mouth, but, as a whole, this is a really serious white. Because the Maurel brothers include a third of Roussanne in their white while controlling it with two other varietals give this effort a great richness and balance; it will definitely age well. 91 points
Red
6/8/2013 - cr84 wrote:
91 points
Apparently, over the last eight vintages, only three produced the output of an “In Fine”. This cuvée is a parcel selection, yielding at less than 20 hl per hectare an equal blend of Syrah and Grenache which are, for half, aged in barrels of 1 to 3 wines during 14 months.

In fine, tasters will get a wine that is pure silk and velvet encircling a great, awesome achievement for Vinsobres. The powerful aromatics display some not-too-much confit bouquet of dark berries and rip plum in an austere, yet open-minded, profile. A serious effort, it’s worth trying for a mere 20€ since it proves the height potentially achieved in the appellation. 91 points
Red
6/8/2013 - cr84 wrote:
90 points
There is no doubt that the 2010 has way more ageing potential than the 2011. This Vinsobres didn’t see any oak at all during growing; yet, it has a solidly good, well structured and strong profile. Its aromatics are more complexly structured, laced in a craftsmanship aspect. A superb effort, it should age gracefully, while being yummy of Southern Rhône, velvety, aromatics, and tannic. Great 90 pointer, I will try to revisit this beauty to check on its evolution.
Red
6/8/2013 - cr84 wrote:
89 points
A clearly more structured wine than the Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, this stuff, grown in steel for at least 10 months, is a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah obtained from the low yields of 25 hl per hectares. It pure fruit is beautifully profiled by its great tannic structure that is nothing short of being well integrated. A strong, gourmand, effort here too. 89 points
Red
6/8/2013 - cr84 wrote:
86 points
An equal blend of Syrah and Grenache, this Côtes du Rhône Villages is built for immediate pleasure, although it offers a nice sensation of potential for ageing. Here, no new oak is used, which allows the wine to be naturally rich, with the velvet of the vintage. It’s a beautifully integrated wine. A solid 86 pointer
Red
6/2/2013 - cr84 wrote:
88 points
A blend of half and half Syrah/Grenache, this Lirac comes mature vines of 40 years old producing a yield of 40 hl per hectares. Super nice, it’s on the masculine side of Red Lirac with its large, embracing muscles. This beauty shares a good load of red and dark berries, with, at first, a deep nose which, then, caries onto the mouth and final. This experience was balanced with some herbaceous, fresh, insertions. 88 points
Red
6/2/2013 - cr84 wrote:
89 points
Same good story between the Reine des Bois and Dame Rousse: while the latter is gourmand and outgoing, the former has more humility although its qualities are truly an upscale. Here, the blend is of equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, giving it a more complex equilibrium. In the mouth, it’s a beautiful expression of Lirac offering at least the same aromatics as the Dame Rousse plus some important insertions of dried garrigues and sous-bois in its primary aromatic stage. Crying for air to open up, this is a top notch Lirac. 89+ points
Red
6/2/2013 - cr84 wrote:
93 points
La Reine des Bois is Mordorée’s landmark, although it only represents a tiny part of their output, produced from a 5 hectare parcel with a yield under the 30 hl per hectare. One of the particularity of this cuvée is that 30% of the wine is grown in barrels, hence sees wood. This 2011 is a wine I truly enjoy, ranking among the best efforts of this not-that-strong vintage. Full and complex, the 2011 is a kid as of now, but a truly potent one. The aromatics here are fully Provençal with a good share of dark berries and dried garrigues, plus, on the top of that is a bouquet telling you you’re not flirting with Lirac but Chateauneuf, indeed made of plum, dried plum and freshly cut herbs. A gorgeous effort showing its good share of tannins -part of them being integrated- and a medium/long final for a Mordorée, this wine has plenty of potential to truly shine in its youth. 93+ points
White
6/2/2013 - cr84 wrote:
88 points
This beautiful white obtained from low yields of 35hL per hectare is a blend of many varietals, including Grenache (30%), 10% of each Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Picpoul, 20% of Clairette, and some other varietals. It offers a beautiful, strong, profile with a structured, complex mouth displaying lime, citrus, and grapefruit. Not as penetrating as the Condrieu, it still is a very nice wine, which can substitute a good share of the young white Chateauneuf du Papes for half the price.
Rosé
6/2/2013 - cr84 wrote:
87 points
A gourmand rosé, this wine is blend of 60% Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Bourboulenc and Clairette. Although it’s definitely a rich wine, it shows no sign of heat. Behind its intense, rosé, robe hides some fruity, lactic, notes of dense red berries, while keeping a light profile.

Equilibrated from A to Z, this rosé should seduce more than a few; regretfully, the bottle isn’t seductive, which is a problem in a festive wine.

87 points
Rosé
6/2/2013 - cr84 wrote:
89 points
To start off, it’s clear that for an additional pair of euros, it’s definitely worth the upgrade to purchase the Reine des Bois Tavel. One of the best rosés I’ve ever encountered, this has a more timid nose than the Dame Rousse, but it’s only because of a certain humility in this upscale cuvées. Indeed, the wine later unfolds on a way more complex bouquet, particularly with an insertion of black current, which is, at least to me, unique for a rosé. This brilliant effort, with a medium long final, is said to have an ageing potential of a decade, I would gladly cellar one to see how things go… 89 points
Rosé
5/22/2013 - cr84 wrote:
87 points
Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé 2012 is an interesting wine. Among all the rosé I’ve ever tasted, I’ve never seen one with a pure rose (pink) colour. That was before. In fact, I’m pretty sure the Joli Pitt Perrin trio worked pretty hard to achieve such a beautiful, clear, pure, rose.

Behind one of the most gorgeous bottle of rosé out there is a wine offering a nose on rose petals, fresh strawberry water and morning freshness. It then unfolds onto a clean, velvety body delivering a good share of grapefruit, with the strawberry water showing off sometimes and ending on a fresh, short final. Regretfully, this beauty shows quite a lot of heat, in contrast to its beautiful depiction of what could have been a truly well crafted rosé. The Joli Pitt Perrin should focus on giving more complexity and balance to this potential great rosé. A nice effort, particularly for a first vintage. 87 points
Red
5/21/2013 - cr84 wrote:
88 points
A wine produced in the north of Vaucluse, nearby Bollène on the lieux dits “Montueil” and “La Levade”, this Côtes-du-Rhône is a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Carignan, and 5% Syrah yielding at 38hl per hectare. This 2011 Côtes-du-Rhône is a nice effort and an even nicer value (8€) as it shows a really well made, classical, yet fresh, expression of Southern Rhône. With its load of Provençal notes, displayed in a pure and beautifully complex profile, this wine is truly consensual. 88 points.
Red
5/21/2013 - cr84 wrote:
87 points
A selection of mostly young vines of Grenache aged in steel tanks for 80% and old barrels for 20%, this Chateauneuf-du-Pape is an intended selection of parcels delivering fruity notes instead of complexity. Indeed, the “Petit Mont” has a nice aromatic, punching, bouquet. Interestingly, the wine displays a good charge of tannins for a 2011, but this is just a tiny information, as it’s just on the introductory level. A strong effort for this level of quality. 87 points
Red
5/21/2013 - cr84 wrote:
89 points
Although it was not my intention, when I asked David if he imported wines to California, he run into the storeroom to bring me a bottle of the Cuvée Unique, the wine made for his CA importer (North Berkeley Imports). That was a great move from him since I always feel frustrated when I hear about wines one can only taste in one single country -think Clos St Jean’s Vieilles Vignes. Anyway, I was told that the importer wanted a cuvée which sees wood, a fact that isn’t common in Chateauneuf-du-Pape but apparently to the liking of his costumers. Apart from that huge factor, the Cuvée Unique, of which only 3000 bottles are produced, displays some creamy notes and chunks of vanilla, truly hiding the, although present, Provençal aromatics such as dark, confit berries. This is an interesting, unique thence educative effort. I just think it doesn’t have the great ageing potential of the regular wines produced by this estate. 89 points.
Red
5/21/2013 - cr84 wrote:
89 points
With a larger scale concentration than the 2008, this is a richer and fruitier wine than its evolved -2008- counterpart. Definitely build to age gracefully, this Clos Mont Olivet 2006 has a velvety balance between primary and secondary notes. This experience is mastered through a sweet, calm, nose which beautifully concludes this effort. I recommend drinking this beauty now, although it definitely has enough to be kept aside for aged pleasure. (89-90) points
Red
5/21/2013 - cr84 wrote:
89 points
Here we get back to what I think is Clos Mont Olivet’s style, which is stricter and more traditional on its Chateauneuf du Pape notes. Oddly, the robe here is lighter, less concentrated, in the medium body, than the Cuvée Unique and the Petit Mont. Without any doubt, this wine will age gracefully, able of reaching yet another level of complexity. As of now, it can still be found very enjoyable because of its open gourmandise. (89-90+) points
Red
5/21/2013 - cr84 wrote:
87 points
As the discussion pursued with David Sabon, he told me he regretted that the press didn’t make an effort in understanding the force of each vintages, and I think he also implied that he would enjoy reviewers to come back to the wines to see how they were evolving and which should be popped at which time. When he asked me which older vintages I would like to review, I told him “the underrated ones” that are 2008 and 2006, plus his renown 2001.
This 2008 is a medium bodies red, displaying an evolved colour for the age. The mouthfeel is very strong, while having less matter than the 2011 and has a good share of secondary notes behind some still present dark berries. This stuff has a good balance which pursues and ends on a pretty concise final. A good effort that I would drink now, without failling to decant it as the more air, the more gourmandise I got out of it. (87-88) points
1 person found this helpful Comment
White
5/21/2013 - cr84 wrote:
89 points
A blend of 30% Clairette, 30% Bourboulenc, 25% Roussanne, and the rest of Grenache, Picpoul and Picardan, this wine is a great example of an beautifully balanced white Chateauneuf-du-Pape. A way to prove this fact was to taste this beauty without chilling the bottle, thence having it at around 18°C. Plenty of white fruits compose with a certain load of white flowers with a great emergence of a apricot notes. This is a classic effort which has the potential of blowing you away with a ton of ageing. (89-90) points
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Red
5/20/2013 - cr84 wrote:
91 points
A brilliant experience to be offered, this 30 years old Chateauneuf-du-Pape shows plenty of evolution while displaying a lively and expressive robe, a pretty well conserved nose, almost as youthful as the nose of the 2001, and a medium to light bodied concentration. Behind these nice curtains is a full expressive beauty which lives up to the ageing potential of this estate’s wines. Its body has is a equilibrated balance of humus, truffle, menthol, pine, and -believe it or not- tiny injunctions of red berries. The only drawback of this 1983 is its dry, compact, final; yet, that doesn’t really come as a surprise given the light profile of the vintage. A very serious offering, I feel that, over the course of the last 30 years, this wine has kept a great youthfulness while improving onto some serious secondary and tertiary aromatics. 91 points.
Red
5/20/2013 - cr84 wrote:
92 points
A wine with a light concentration, this 2001 is multidimensional and strongly evolved. However, every step of it has kept a great youthfulness, being fresh and lively. On the pallet, this gets very complex although this was a light to medium bodied wine. Here, thence, don’t look into the packed, concentrated, fruit basket you would have in most modern Chateauneuf-du-Papes. Instead, you get a unique Chateauneuf displaying some smashed dark berries under a well balanced structure; over which is a grandiose bouquet on secondary notes of humus, pine, incense, liquorice, dried garrigue and dried plum. A great showing, it shows the great potential of the wines from Clos Mt Olivet. 92 points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
86 points
With a longer final and some more power to it, this Gigondas 2009 is very well made compared to the other poor showings of this line-up. A step up. 86 points.
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
85 points
A blend of half and half Grenache and Syrah, this selection is softer and more delicate than its regular cuvées counterparts. While the final is very short, there is an outgoing profile behind it that is quite interesting. 85 points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
84 points
Having way more structure and controlled tannins than the 2009, this Beaumes de Venise 2005 is, at least, seductive. Don’t hesitate buying this one instead of the 2009 if you really want to go Redortier. 84 points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
82 points
This wine has more tenacity and tannic structure, yet, there is an over-presence of heat for it to be enjoyable. 82 points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
93 points
The “Petits Pieds d’Armand” -a funny name- emerges from a small parcel of 1,8ha in the sandy soils of La Crau (the Courthezon part presented in the introduction). Here, yields are pretty small, in the 25hl per hectare, which is totally normal give that the vines were planted in 1899.
Back on the 2011 vintage of this cuvée, it’s a truly beautiful effort for the vintage. Still light on its robe, it’s powerful and fine at the same time, diving my pallet in an impressive bouquet of dark berries which lasts and unfolds from first olfactory contact to the final aromatic residue left behind. Given the low concentration of the wine -think Burgundy-, this showing is simple impressive. (93-94) points.
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
91 points
Obviously more concentrated than the 2010 given the vintage’s general concentration and strong power -even though this wine display a light concentration compared to the average one of the vintage-, the 2010 tradition is a strong effort able of being enjoyed now but which can definitely take advantage of some aging. Its body is more unctuous, and has a deeper aromatic than the 2011. 91+ points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
90 points
A normal Chateauneuf-du-Pape in the sense that it’s mostly made out Grenache, with some insertions of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault (I would guess due to the usual coplantage of the vines in Chateauneuf), this Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a great effort given the vintage. A good share of nice 2011s show an underlined finesse that here is beautifully mastered with sparkling notes of dried, spicy, woods. Starting at the second nose, the ballet continues onto a serious final. 90 points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
87 points
This Côtes-du-Rhône is beautifully more concentrated and silkily integrated than the Vin de France Red. Blended out of 50/50 Grenache and Syrah, this is a gorgeous effort very decently priced. Recommended. 87 points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
86 points
Boy, the Rosé was already a nice QPR, but this is just a singing one! Gourmand and well built, it some a loaded and concentrated aromatics of raspberries and black spices. Olivier Hillaire was selling that at around 5,5€ at the tasting; at this price, I don’t know much competitors who can outbeat this wine. 86 points
Rosé
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
85 points
It would be very interesting to get the fact sheet on this beauty as it’s a very serious QPR, offering a rich mouth-feel and a serious final for the money. Selling around the same price (even less) than the Vieille Ferme, in a quite similar yet stronger fashion, this should be considered by professionals who want to enrich their daily wines references. 85 points
White
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
89 points
A cuvée that is virtually inexistent due to its small production, this Chateauneuf du Pape is very well crafted and built, with a serious structure showing where the difference can be made between this appellation and other ones in the Southern Rhone. Quite expressive on its well delineated aromatics, this is a nicely made effort. 89 points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
89 points
This was the great surprise of this line-up. Made out of parcel, terroir and old vine selection -the vines selected all ranging in the 80 to 100 years old-, this wine, a blend of 80% Grenache and the rest of Syrah, endures a very long fermentation.
A unique showing, it apparently was only released approximatively a bit more than year ago. Contrarily to every wine presented in this line-up, it had a great, silky, core opening on some flower and petals notes. It’s silky final is up to the rest of the experience, lasting way longer than the other wines’ finals. 89 points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
84 points
Don’t get confused: the fact that this is called “cuvée” doesn’t mean it’s a superior wine than the regular “tradition” Vacqueyras (it’s actually sold at the same price). In fact, to me, it’s the opposite. The intention here was to change the blend, putting less Grenache (from 80% in the regular cuvée to 75%), and blending it only with a 25% of Syrah. Despite its austere nose, it has an outgoing and aromatic mouth. 84 points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
87 points
Same story, this wine is traditionally made, enduring a long fermentation and no destemming. Mostly made out of Grenache, the rest of Syrah and Cinsault, this Gigondas is more outgoing than its Vacqueyras counterpart. A strong entry-level, classical, effort, this Gigondas ranks well in the appellation for their 2011. 87 points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
86 points
As for the 2010 Vacqueyras, it’s more corsé. Truly able to improve, or simply display some more complex notes, with cellaring, it’s yet surprisingly open for business now. A nice effort. 86 points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
86 points
Their Vacqueyras is on the same trend as the Gigondas in the blending and growing. Emerging from a pebble soil, this mostly Grenache made wine is obviously more evolved than its 2011 counterpart, displaying a tuilé purple robe. Having a mouth more loaded with fruits than the Côtes-du-Rhône Cuvée Romaine, this Vacqueyras shows the potential qualitative difference between the two cuvées. 86 points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
86 points
As for all the 2011 that are well made, this Vacqueyras is truly approachable now despite its traditional making. This masculinely structured wine is a very nice step up from the Côtes-du-Rhône Cuvée Romaine. 86 points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
85 points
I’m always glad to taste some Beaumes de Venise as I feel this appellation is terribly overlooked by amateurs while it does provide some beautiful wines, particularly from the lieux-dit named “Trias”. Not surprisingly, this wine is more feminine and delicate than the other wines presented in this line-up. Outgoing and definitely approachable, this is a nice work. 85 points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
85 points
This famous Côtes-du-Rhône emerges from pebble soils and is a blend of equal part Grenache and Syrah. Very traditional in its making as the grapes aren’t destemmed, it doesn’t reflect that on a traditional mouth-feel, offering notes of grilled wood with a nice structure on raspberries. 85 points
Rosé
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
84 points
A rosé de saignée, this Vacqueyras is a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault -none of them are destemmed, which endure filtration before bottling. Similarly to the Vacqueyras White 2012, this wine profiles a nice aromatic but is very light on it. 84 points
White
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
86 points
A blend of 60% and 40% Grenache Blanc which endures a light filtration before bottling., this white is vividly fresh, profiling a lemon-ish profile; it doesn’t profile much concentration. A beautiful, straightforward effort. 86 points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
90 points
This cuvée was born in 2005 when, in a terroir of large pebbles, some very old vines of Grenache achieve a phenomenal maturity. Grown in two demi-muids respectively named David & Goliath, this cuvée is even more loaded than the regular Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Displaying a multiplayer profile full of rip and confit dark berries, it still has a great acidity that is quite disturbing as of now but which shows the great potential of this wine. The score could suddenly jump of a point if this integrates well with aging. (90-91+) points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
89 points
There is no argument that this stuff is more complex than the previous wines of the line-up. A blend of Grenache and Syrah from various scarce parcels in the appellation, it displays an intensely concentrated robe -think 2010-, loaded with humble tannins. The aromatic is great, on profound notes of burlat cherries and dried plum. A beautiful wine: 89+ points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
87 points
Interestingly, Fontavin produces wine from a significant number of appellations, Gigondas being one of them. The 50 years old vines here are located on a 400m high plateaux in the midst of the Dentelles de Montmirail. The blend? A mix of Grenache (75%), and the rest of Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah, and Clairette roses (rosé). Kicking and rockin’, this wine has a larger body, displaying more tannins and masculinity. Good stuff. 87 points.
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
87 points
The Grenache (75%) and Mourvèdre making the blend of this clear and gourmand Vacqueyras come from centenary vines located on sandy-limestone terrasses near the Dentelles de Montmirail. Not that austere for a wine of this appellation, this is in fact pretty velvety. 87 points
Red
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
86 points
This wine is a work of blending as it comes from various terroirs and soils, plus, it’s made not only out of Grenache (75%) but also of Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Gorgeously gourmand with a touch of modernism, it displays a nice load of red berries. A seductive wine. 86 points
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White
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
88 points
A wine made of Grenache and Roussane, the former grown on red clay and pebbles while the latter on sandy soils, this Chateauneuf du Pape white shows a nice tension between the richness brought by the Roussanne and the clarity and freshness brought by the Grenache. All this comes together in a nice, long, final. Beautiful effort. 88 points
White
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
86 points
Emerging from a blend of Grenache, Roussanne, and Marsanne -yes, Marsanne!-, this Côtes-du-Rhône is sound and clear, offering a nice delineation on white flowers. A recommendable entry-level white QPR. 86 points
Rosé
5/1/2013 - cr84 wrote:
86 points
A rosé de saignée, this Côtes-du-Rhône is a blend of Grenache (85%), and equal part of Syrah and Cinsault. Beautifully made, this beauty challenges some of the best rosé tasted at this tasting, and constitute a great value. On the aromatics, I just can’t disagree with Hélène on the “raspberry yogurt” notes. Brilliant QPRosé. 86 points
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