Early dinner with Chris and Younghwa

Les 2 Garçons
Tasted Saturday, April 18, 2026 by NickA with 39 views

Introduction

Relatively impromptu Chardonnay/Syrah themed fun!

Flight 1 - Pondering the blackboard (1 Note)

  • 2018 Vazart-Coquart Champagne Grand Cru Spécial Club Rosé 93 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    A lovely pink drink to kick off a lovely sunny spring dinner - bright and sparkling with anticipation. You won't find many wines, still or sparkling, with more of a red-fruited profile (this is 100% Pinot Noir, from a single vineyard in Chouilly); the strawberry flavour was especially pronounced. Despite its easygoing nature and soft mouthfeel, there was plenty of depth and sufficient acidity. Enjoyed a great deal around the table.

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

Flight 2 - Bouillabaisse (2 Notes)

  • 2020 Domaine Roulot Bourgogne-Aligoté 91 Points

    France, Burgundy, Bourgogne-Aligoté

    A surprisingly gentle, neat-and-tidy wine, with a fairly neutral flavour profile (just a squeeze of lemon) but pleasing texture and notable sense of harmony. I'd probably have been in Muscadet, if served this blind. Excellent pairing for my bouillabaisse.

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

  • 2019 Ramey Chardonnay Woolsey Road Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    A fine Chardonnay for sure, but a bit too flawless and well-behaved to be properly excellent. I really enjoyed drinking it, and recall well its remarkable balance, but 24 hours later can't really say anything more about it than that...!

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

Flight 3 - Pigeon, prunes, Savoy cabbage and barley (3 Notes)

  • 2004 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas 94 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

    In a great place. Soft, smoky and with the sweet-fruited decadence of maturity, though with sufficient acidity to stand up to the food and keep us returning for another sip. Laid-back and effortlessly charismatic, in contrast to the spiky whirlwind of the Allemand. Probably the WOTN.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2005 Thierry Allemand Cornas Chaillot 94 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

    Double-decanted for sediment (there actually wasn't much) and drunk about an hour later. Obviously in great condition, with a nose containing all the leather, blood and wet metal I'd hoped for. Less power than expected on the palate, which was on the lean side of elegant, finely textured rather than at all thick or tannic, and nicely poised between berry fruit and barnyardy development. Despite all that goodness, I was expecting slightly more grip and excitement from a top producer's wine in a top vintage.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2015 Pierre Gonon Saint-Joseph 93 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Saint-Joseph

    Third time trying this, and it continues to be aromatically impressive as it slinks sexily towards full maturity. Ripe, charismatic, powdery nose, full of blue fruit and violets. It's also a good wine on the palate, with great depth of fruit and good balance, but seemed a little blocky and immature alongside the '04 Clape and '05 Allemand.

    Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

×
×