La Manche Wine Circle - Northern Rhône

3rd tasting of La Manche Wine Circle. Northern Rhône - 6 wines from the septentrional appelations, mostly young St Joseph and Crozes Hermitage. All wines decanted and tasted blind. Thanks to our hosts David and Amanda.

• 1999 Gaec Vernay Côte-Rôtie

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Dark cherry robe with oxblood tints. Powerful notes of rich, red fruits inc. cassis with vanilla and sweet liquorice. Leather and spices with lots of 'terroir' on top of the fruit. Very pleasing and well-balanced palate supported by very smooth tannins. Good attack and lingering finish. Still young with good ageing potential. The panel's coup de coeur. Il va se bonifier!

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• 2004 Domaine Michelas-St. Jemms Crozes-Hermitage

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Light cherry red. Lovely perfumed nose of mixed red fruits and herbal notes. Like a big Beaujolais Villages, the alcohol balances the explosive fruit aroma. Nice lively fruit comes over to the medium-bodied palate. Unusual, fresh and spicy and drinking well now. Excellent value for money.

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• 2000 J. Vidal-Fleury Saint-Joseph

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Saint-Joseph

  Plum coloured robe with ruby tints. Huge, complex nose with a characterful mix of terroir and oak aromas. Nice expression of mineral aromas, leather and a hint of tar. Light tannins supporting a zingy attack. Drinking well now.

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• 2001 Domaine du Colombier Crozes-Hermitage

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Deep cherry red with ruby tints. Interesting mix of aromas - cigar box full of tobacco and eucalyptus leaves. Spices and berries with some earthy notes making and interesting and agreeable nose. Spices (star anise) coming over to the palate. Medium body supported by soft tannins and a nice acidity. Drinking from now.

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• 2000 Domaine Courbis Saint-Joseph

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Saint-Joseph

  Light cherry with spicy berries and some interesting alcohol aromas reminiscent of shoe polish. Light, fresh, lively and alcoholic. Good lunchtime wine before a siesta!

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• 2002 Les Chais de Saint Hilaire Crozes-Hermitage

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Black cherry with purple tints expressing nice oaky aromas dominated by an odd smell of acitone. Slight bitterness with a nice dry finish of black olives. Lack of supporting tannins make this an early drinker.

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Great opportunity to try a region less well-known to the panel. St Josephs and Crozes demonstrating some good fresh light styles and a big gutsy Cote Rotie to give us a taste of the big northern 'vins de garde'.