Community Tasting Note
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Tim and Bonnie wrote: 90 points
January 16, 2014 - Long couple of days of meetings at HQ in San Diego, and instead of hanging with the 20+ people who are going who knows where for the eve, I came back to the hotel to dine and watch the sun disappear beyond Mission Bay. Snowed in Richmond this morn, Bonnie sent pics. Gorgeous here, but the eve brings a slight chill which the fire pit to my right perfectly resolves. Studied the wine list and utilized the advice of my unknown friends on CT to select my wine.
Bonnie's at home, and I miss her. So used to asking her thoughts on what we're going to order or just enjoyed, but tomorrow when I get home to Richmond, God willing, we will sample one or two just-arrived bottles that have good promise, especially the Chateau Guiraud.
I didn't want a dinner conversation, which is unusual for me, but I also didn't want to be alone, so Providence has provided the perfect interaction, a somm who is from Antibes, France, the country that in one visit became the heartbeat of my dreams. They were out of the Vacqueyras (try spelling that without Google) I was itching for so my new friend guided me toward this wine. His accent, style and comments about the wine make me miss being in France with Bonnie even more.
Gigondas. Duck confit.
This wine put me, actually, in an undesired spot, because I love diversity but have a tendency I despise. Although I'm not immovable in my menu selections at certain restaurants, I do notice that I find something I like at a particular restaurant and then order that item with embarrassing consistency. Darn. And tonight, I found a perfect pairing, which means I will be hard pressed to go another direction the next time I am here.
Duck Confit with roasted root vegetables, and Domaine du Cayron 2006. I have to say, rarely does a pairing work this well for me. The wine is not the NASCAR version of Gigondas I tend to enjoy...alcohol, fruit and herbs boiled in creosote, and deglazed with...creosote, this has more finesse, more polish and is a bit lighter. I really like it and would order again. But if there are not ducks waddling through the rows at Domaine du Cayron if I visit, I will be terribly disappointed, because there should be.
Miss you hon, see you tomorrow!
Meanwhile, I'll listen to the guy behind me try to impress his woman by talking about how he's going to order her the steak "tarter" he thinks will be awesome. And I'll watch the beautiful twenty-something girl with the mane of dark hair try to pay attention to the guy I don't think has her attention.4,360 views
2 Comments
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Tony Poli commented:
1/17/14, 7:15 AM - Was intrigued by this note. But, ultimately I was disappointed. How does "What a meal!" turn into a 90? I find the Cayrons to be pretty rustic, especially in their youth (and they last quite a bit longer than the typical CT drinking window, especially if properly stored. They smooth out considerably with age).
I guess I needed to hear more about the wine. Your description of the NASCAR Gigondas is probably what I think of when I taste a young Cayron. So what is more NASCAR than this one?
My disappointment was not sufficient to prevent me from becoming a fan. I hope I see more notes in the future... -
Tim and Bonnie commented:
1/17/14, 8:24 AM - Thank you for the gift of your feedback, I will take your comments to heart. I may be the victim of my inexperience with Gigondas as I've never drunk one others might consider a classic. Examples of a NASCAR Gigondas to me would be a 2011 Domaine De La Chapelle or a 2009 Domaine du Grand Montmirail. I didn't focus on the flavors and aromas of this wine because I saw so many what I felt were accurate profiles in other notes, but I will work to expand my POV based on your note.