(Clos de Roilette Fleurie "Cuvee Tardive") Opened last night, this is in the same vein as the 2004, 2001, and 1998. Not as fleshy or as dark-fruited as the 1999, 2002 or 2005 but just as delicious. There is a freshness to this wine that I always find so appealing and it is here in spades. Just like it was in the 2004 and the 2001. Almost like a perfectly ripe red delicious apple kind of freshness. The purity is astonishing as usual as well as the delineation and depth. Crunchy red fruits galore with cleansing acidity. Lots of it too! The aromas are classic Tardive with a tons of clove, cardamon, cinnamon, apple orchard, cherries and wet earth. Just a symphony of Gamay. So crunchy and perfectly balanced. No hard edges here. A great Tardive and one to buy at least four bottles of and maybe more. Seems like it can be a 10-15 year Tardive. Will try one again in 4-6 months as it still needs to flesh out a bit.
By Lyle Fass
(Clos de Roilette Fleurie "Cuvee Tardive") Opened last night, this is in the same vein as the 2004, 2001, and 1998. Not as fleshy or as dark-fruited as the 1999, 2002 or 2005 but just as delicious. There is a freshness to this wine that I always find so appealing and it is here in spades. Just like it was in the 2004 and the 2001. Almost like a perfectly ripe red delicious apple kind of freshness. The purity is astonishing as usual as well as the delineation and depth. Crunchy red fruits galore with cleansing acidity. Lots of it too! The aromas are classic Tardive with a tons of clove, cardamon, cinnamon, apple orchard, cherries and wet earth. Just a symphony of Gamay. So crunchy and perfectly balanced. No hard edges here. A great Tardive and one to buy at least four bottles of and maybe more. Seems like it can be a 10-15 year Tardive. Will try one again in 4-6 months as it still needs to flesh out a bit.1/30/2008, (See more on Rockss and Fruit...)