Northern Rhone Dinner

Blue Oval invited Otis, Mel Hill, myself and our wives over to dinner last weekend. The theme was Northern Rhone wines. We started with some cheeses, pate and a Peruvian ceviche made by Otis. Blue Oval cooked some lamb on the grill for the main course (it turned out nice and pink, very tender and a wonderful match with the reds). Mel made some roasted potatoes in a cream, leak and gruyere sauce. My wife contributed roasted cauliflower and brussel sprouts.

All of the reds were served blind. A surprising number of the reds turned out to be from the fabulous 1999 vintage when they were disclosed. I thought the 1999's were showing very well. Here are my notes.

• 2006 Tardieu-Laurent Hermitage Blanc 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  (10/29/2011)

  Opened by Otis. This was a fabulous wine. Otis promised that it would go well with all the appetizers and it did. Notes of butterscotch, oak and pure vanilla. Not as heavy or alcoholic as I had expected. Full bodied with a long finish. 93-94 points.

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• 1998 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc Le Méal 88 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  (10/29/2011)

  Brought by Mel Hill to the Northern Rhone dinner. This was served too cold and needed to warm a little before showing its best. Perhaps some decanting would have helped as well. Drank with appetizers. Next to the 2006 Tardieu Laurent Hermitage Blanc it tasted somewhat one dimensional. Slightly oxidized. 88 points.

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• 1998 Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie Côte Blonde 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  (11/1/2011)

  Blue Oval opened this wine. It was the oldest wine at the blind tasting by 1 year. I was surprised it was 13 years old because it tasted so youthful. Full bodied. Sharp tannins. Notes of black cherry, cola and currant. I think it needs more time. No votes. 91 points.

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• 1999 Jean-Michel Gerin Côte-Rôtie Champin le Seigneur 89 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  (11/1/2011)

  Otis brought this wine. It was the 2nd time I have had it. Last time was in 2002 and it showed slightly better. This had a pretty nose and a smooth texture. Lower tannic structure than the other wines in the blind tasting. Notes of plum and forest floor. Starting to show its age. No votes. 89 points

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• 1999 Domaine Coursodon St. Joseph La Sensonne 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph

  (11/1/2011)

  This was my last bottle of this wine and it was the best yet. Really in a sweet spot now. Dark red color. Integrated tannins. Notes of sweet cherries and roasted meat. Silky finish. This was voted wine of the night and beat out other Northern Rhone wines with better pedigree. 93 points.

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• 1999 Tardieu-Laurent Côte-Rôtie 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  (11/1/2011)

  Another bottle opened by Blue Oval at the dinner. This was more integrated and showing its age better than many of the wines. Round texture. Rich fruit with notes of kirsch, pepper and raw meat. No votes. 92 points.

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• 1999 Les Vins de Vienne Côte-Rôtie Les Essartailles 89 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  (11/1/2011)

  My last bottle of this and the 3rd time I have had it. Earthy nose. This was a dry wine with notes of crushed grape skins, iodine and plum. Medium bodied. This got one vote in our blind tasting. 89 points.

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• 2003 Alain Verset Cornas 87 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

  (11/1/2011)

  Blue Oval opened this wine.Deep purple color. I thought the fruit was a little too tart in this wine. Notes of mint and cassis. This was my least favorite in the lineup of 8 blind wines. 87 points.

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• 2004 Thierry Allemand Cornas Reynard 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

  (11/1/2011)

  Blue Oval opened this wine. It finished a close 2nd for wine of the night. Firm tannins. I thought this tasted the youngest and it was. Notes of tar, bacon fat and wet earth on the mid palate. Medium to full bodied. Slightly tart on the finish but I liked it. 92-93 points.

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