Northern Rhone wimps — Napoléon Coste

La Trompette, London
Tasted Friday, February 27, 2015 by SimonG with 557 views

Flight 1 (1 Note)

Canapė

Flight 2 (2 Notes)

Irish pollan, smoked eel, mustard leaf, watercress, new potatoes and horseradish

  • 2011 Domaine Bernard Gripa Saint-Péray Les Pins 90 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Saint-Péray

    Nicely waxy, slightly lemony nose. Mid weight. Fresh with an interesting mix of mineral and cream textures on the palate. Again, a touch of citrus and lanolin on the finish. Nose opens up nicely to show a more honeysuckle element. Lovely. Quite long too. ***1/2

    Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 1994 M. Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc Chante-Alouette 89 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    Mid to deep straw. Rich nose. Honeyed with a slightly VA edge that blends in to a suggestion of caramel. Rich and full. Very rounded and creamy, again a slightly fragrant, medicinal, VA tinged edge. Seems to blow off with air though. Very decent and with interest. ***

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 3 (3 Notes)

Roast corn-fed duck with tamarind and turnips

  • 1999 Domaine Barge Côte-Rôtie Cuvée du Plessy 90 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    Lovely nose, floral and sweet-fruited, then a little tighter. Dark violet-scented fruit. Some fine tannin on a slightly grippy finish. With air, a touch if astringency coming through on the palate. Loses its brightly fruited floral nose and seems to tighten and become subdued. Not helped by the sweet tamarind sauce alongside the duck. Lacks the brightness, and roundness of a bottle five years ago. More temperamental today. ***1/2

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 1999 Bernard Burgaud Côte-Rôtie 91 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    Slightly denser and a little less floral than the Barge on the nose. Opens up nicely. Very plush in a silky, cosseting way. Not overdone, but plush. Again, not done any favours by the sweet tamarind sauce. After food this feels a bit tannic and lean. Needs a little time to flesh out and relax a little. ****

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 1998 Bernard Burgaud Côte-Rôtie 91 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    More expressive nose. A touch higher acidity perhaps. A bit of farmyard too. Round attack, but a bit hollow in the middle though this does round out a bit. Works better with the food though the sweet tamarind is still de trop. A touch sauvage. Friendliest of the three for now. More red fruited, but shorter lifespan. ****

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 4 (3 Notes)

New season lamb, ram sons, spring truffle and chanterelles

  • 1996 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Mouline 94 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    Very plush nose. Polished and refined. Very classy. Expensive but classy. Very fine and smooth tannins. A touch of vanilla and a long, silky, dark red-fruited finish. Glossy. Lovely. ****1/2

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 1995 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 93 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    Tighter and denser than the 85. Young and tight and dense, but all there. The food helps this. All there, just needs time. Consistent with a couple of bottles back in 2008. Densely, tightly woven still. Dark red fruit and a brightens to it. ***(*)

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 1985 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 94 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    Nicely savoury and relaxed. Mellow, beef, blood. Smooth, maturing but vital. Ageing on it's acidity and plenty left in the tank. Fresh, long, mellow, cosseting and savoury. So much better than a really tight and surly bottle of this five months ago. ****1/2

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 5 (1 Note)

Custard tart, poached Yorkshire rhubarb and lavender honey

  • 2003 Château Doisy-Daëne 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac

    Two 50cl bottles with consistent notes. Rich but fresh. Lovely. Fresh pineapple with a pinch of coconut. Well balanced. Wouldn't pick this as 03. Just right with the pudding. ****

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

×
×