WineFanatic Northern Rhone Offline

• 2004 Alain Voge Saint-Péray Fleur de Crussol 88 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Saint-Péray

  Tasted blind. Notes of apple cider, a sweet citrus and nuts. Good acidity. Medium body. Very nutty. Slightly bitter finish. Lots of nice wood. Interesting wine and a good start to the night. Drink now. Very good.

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

• 1994 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Mouline 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Tasted blind. Decanted for 3 hours. Very earthy nose giving rubber, charred meats and red fruits. Medium acidity and medium body. Long finish with some spicy hints. Resolved tannins. Balanced and soft in the mouth. Wasn’t showing as much floral as I remember from the last bottle. Drink or hold. Outstanding. 93+

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

• 2000 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Tasted blind. This was noticeably darker than the Mouline. Very floral with barnyard notes, riper red fruits and some nice oak showing through. Bright on the palate with solid acidity. Some burnt bacon and violets coming through after a few minutes in the glass. Medium body. Medium powdery tannins. This great now but still can go for a while. Excellent. 91+

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

• 1991 M. Chapoutier Hermitage La Sizeranne 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Tasted blind. This caught me off guard with a strong note of eucalyptus/mint on the nose. A ton of fruit on the nose as well had me thinking this wine was much younger than it was. Hints of manure (very nice) and barnyard notes with a velvety mouth feel. Lengthy finish giving dried tobacco. Drinking very well. Excellent.

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

• 1997 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Tasted blind. The most concentrated wine yet. Red currants and blackberries with hints of smoky earth. Medium to high acidity with soft yet drying tannins. This wine was very enjoyable but I’d recommend holding for 5+ more years so it can really show its stuff. Excellent. 92+

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

• 1999 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Tasted blind. At first this wine came across very ripe with black and dark red fruits but after some time in the glass it started showing hints of charred meats and earth. A huge wine full of structure that needs serious time to evolve but what a treat to taste this now. Hold. Excellent. 92+

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

• 2004 Niepoort Douro Charme 87 Points

  Portugal, Douro

  Tasted blind. Pronounced nose of caramel and oak. Sweet and ripe and very young. There is potential here, but this needs time to settle in and let all the pieces comes together. Right now it’s just dominated by the sweet oak and ripe fruits. Hold. Good. 87+

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

• 1999 Domaine des Rémizières Hermitage Cuvée Émilie 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Tasted blind. On the nose custard and dark fruits with hints of chocolate. On the palate some spice and subtle oak coming through. Full bodied with lots of tannin and acidity, this baby needs time. Very nice mouth feel. I really want to try this in 10 years. Excellent. 91+

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

• 1996 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

  Tasted blind. I would have guessed this to be a Cabernet Franc based on the nose. Hints of dill and some enjoyable greenness with coffee and black currants. Each time I went back to this wine it gave something new. Leather and tobacco on the lengthy finish. I need to get some Cornas in my cellar. Drink or hold. Excellent.

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

• 1999 Torbreck The Factor 89 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  Tasted blind. Decanted for 4 hours. We didn’t fool anyone with this ringer. In fact, within two sniffs of the glass, one could hear from all directions of the table, “Australian”. A few seconds later Blair said “Torbreck?” I should have known better with this group. Ripe, concentrated and big. Dark black fruits with some sweet oak and tons of tannin. Years away from maturity, I will hold my only other bottle for 5-10 years to see where this goes. Very good. 89+

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

Once again, Coop organized a great dinner and everyone stepped up with fantastic wines. The food was also exceptional and paired very well with the wines...easily my favorite offline that I've been to so far. Although Blair shouting out "Torbreck" after one taste of our ringer ruined my night...thanks Blair.