Northern Rhone tasting

8 wine lovers gathered at the meat restaurant LOFT: Yoram, Mati, EliF, RaniS, MosheB, AvihuK, Shlomo Avidan & myself.

The 1996 Rostaing was already a bit over the peak, the 2008 not impressing (vintage), both 2005 were very good (La Sizeranne) and excellent (Ampuis)

• 1996 Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie La Landonne 88 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  red-brown color
  elegant quality tertiary aroma of a mature and somewhat oxidised wine, with hints of wet-earth, spices and ripe forest fruits
  med bodied, over the peak and a bit oxidised, balanced acidity, soft round tannins, medium harmony, still enjoyable flavours, fairly enjoyable after taste.

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• 2008 Saint Cosme Côte-Rôtie 88 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  classic Côte Rotie elegant nose with white pepper, earth, red fruit, and minerality.
  Quite acidic in the beginning, better after about an hour decanting. Nice red fruit, good aciditiy, but one cannot expected more from this vintage.

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• 2005 M. Chapoutier Hermitage La Sizeranne 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  dark red-purple color
  quality fruity aroma with hints of secondary
  rich, full body, still very tannic, balanced acidity, good harmony, still young, can further age 3-5 years till its optimal drinking period.

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• 2005 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  dark red-purple
  quality elegant rich classic Côte Rôtie aroma
  excellent harmony, high quality, very enjoyable, it had all needed in it!

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The meat was OK - though bit less than expectations. Even the so-called private room was too noisy.

But the social evening with with the tasty wines made it a pleasant event.