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Domaine de la Côte New Release Tasting and Dinner Hosted by Raj Parr
Manhatta Restaurant, NYC
Tasted October 16, 2019 by oldwines with 356 views
Introduction
This invitation only event for wine club members and friends of the winery owned by Rajat Parr and Sashi Moorman was put on with some of the staff of the winery, and Xavier Barlier, SVP Marketing from Louis Roederer Champagne. There were two parts to the event. First a tasting of the new releases from Domaine de la Côte, Sandhi Wines and a couple from Evening Land where Raj still is involved, with some light food (meats, veggies and cheese). This was followed by a five course dinner for 16 guests.
Flight 1 - The New Release Tasting (8 notes)
New releases from Domaine de la Côte, Sandhi Wines, Roederer and Evening Land were offered in a walk around setting. I believe I missed at least one or two wines that were available.
Red
2017 Evening Land Vineyards Passetoutgrain Seven Springs Vineyard
89 points
Part of the new release tasting sponsored by Domaine de la Côte and hosted by Raj Parr. This blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay is quite unique. Well made, bright with acidity showing off the blend with a mix of lavender, cherry and ripe red plum. Those who are fond of Gamay will love this, though for me, not a huge Gamay fan, it was "neither fish nor fowl." I love the Pinot Noir from this vineyard and this was fun to try but this isn't a wine I would buy for myself. Some others present however really seemed to enjoy it.
Red
2017 Domaine de la Côte Pinot Noir Sous le chêne
95 points
Part of the new release tasting sponsored by Domaine de la Côte and hosted by Raj Parr. As far as I could tell the wine was just slow-oxed for some time before the guests arrived. This wine is a translucent medium ruby-rose color. The nose is somewhat muted at first, then opens up with some smoke, SO2 and florals followed by a layer of cherry fruit and some spice. Medium to medium+ acidity with medium- tannin. Chewy with a lean "crunchiness". Quite savory, gamy, earthy and zesty. Long to very long finish. Bright, energetic and balanced this should be really great in 10-15 years.
Red
2017 Domaine de la Côte Pinot Noir Bloom's Field
93 points
Part of the new release tasting sponsored by Domaine de la Côte and hosted by Raj Parr. As far as I could tell the wine was just slow-oxed for some time before the guests arrived. It is translucent medium ruby. The nose is quite closed at first then with some swirling lets loose with vanilla, earthy cherry and gamy notes. The palate has medium acidity and low to medium- tannin. Somewhat lean and savory/herbal on the palate with some earthy lavender along with the red fruit, game meat and baking spices. Finish is balanced and long. Needs some time I think to really come into its own. I'd say better closer to its 10th birthday and beyond.
Red
2017 Domaine de la Côte Pinot Noir La Côte
94 points
Part of the new release tasting sponsored by Domaine de la Côte and hosted by Raj Parr. Translucent medium ruby crimson. As far as I could tell this was just slow-oxed for some time before the guests arrived. The nose is a little restrained but yet open with rose petals, violets, spices, earthy cedar and a touch of vanilla. It is a little more generous on the palate than the other current release Pinot's at this moment in time. But also well structured with good acidity (medium+) and some tannin (medium). Very layered with smoked meat, various red berries and cedar. Long lingering finish. Again, some time in the cellar will help.
Red
2017 Domaine de la Côte Pinot Noir Memorious
91 points
Part of the new release tasting sponsored by Domaine de la Côte and hosted by Raj Parr. As far as I could tell the wine was just slow-oxed for some time before the guests arrived. Translucent medium ruby. Fragrant, forward and spicy with vanilla, game meat, red berries and a curious shellfish element on the nose. More fruit forward and less structured than the other Pinot's in the line-up. Palate is herbal, red fruited and quite minerally on the medium long finish. Balanced now but not enough acidity for long aging.
White
2017 Sandhi Wines Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict Vineyard
92 points
Part of the new release tasting sponsored by Domaine de la Côte and hosted by Raj Parr. PnP right before tasting. Bright light yellow color. Nose has some reduction but just a little then some oakiness and citrus. Medium acidity, more lean than rich with chalky minerals and citrus but yet a slightly creamy texture. Balanced with a long saline finish. Very nice wine that may have needed more air... but while I like to age Chards, this one is more for drinking over the next 4-5 years.
White
2017 Sandhi Wines Chardonnay Bentrock
94 points
Part of the new release tasting sponsored by Domaine de la Côte and hosted by Raj Parr. PnP just before tasting and a touch too cold from an ice bucket. Bright light yellow. Nose is flinty but lacking the reduction noticed more prominently in the other chards tasted this evening. Palate is chalky with lots of minerals and very saline along with herbal (tarragon?), citrus and white peach notes. Very long on the finish. Bright acidity and very energetic. A Lot going on here that I like but I think it needed some more air to really show its depth of fruit. This should age well for a decade or more. I would decant this and keep it at cellar temperature for an hour or two before tasting.
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White - Sparkling
2012 Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Nature Cuvée Starck
94 points
The first wine to greet the guests of the new release tasting sponsored by Domaine de la Côte and hosted by Raj Parr with Xavier Barlier from Louis Roederer in attendance. This wine is not yet released in the USA and has only recently been released in France. This wine is made from 55% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay all from the Coteaux de Cumières and I believe all biodynamic. Made with no malolactic fermentation and zero dosage with 15% of the wine vinified in oak casks. Light bright yellow with small bubbles. Yeasty, fruity (apple, peach and lemon) and nutty on the nose. Bright acidity on the palate with juicy citrus, great texture and an intense saline finish. Crystalline, pure and delicious... a wonderful wine to start off a delightful evening of food and wine.
Flight 2 - Dinner First Course (2 notes)
Lobster Crêpe, Stracciatella Cheese, Butternut Squash
Delicious and nicely paired with both wines. On the margin I slightly preferred the Clos Juliet with the food but both were equally good.
White
2014 Domaine de la Côte Chardonnay Juliet
94 points
Served at Domaine de la Côte Dinner hosted by Raj Parr. Paired with the Lobster Crêpe along with the Sandhi Bentrock 2014 Chard. This is named for Sashi Moorman's daughter. Only two barrels or about 49 cases were made. This was only the second time Raj had tasted this wine outside the winery. It is a bright medium golden yellow color. The nose is a bit reductive and smokey (Raj stated that he only uses SO2 in bottling not before) and very reminiscent of top Meursault (Dominique Lafon's influence perhaps). It shows minerals, florals, stone fruit and citrus. Very rich yet bright with acidity and a finish that was long with stone fruit and crushed stone/limestone.
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White
2014 Sandhi Wines Chardonnay Bentrock
94 points
Served at Domaine de la Côte Dinner hosted by Raj Parr. Raj commented that this was his favorite of the Chards he has made. Served together with the Clos Juliet 2014 with the first course of Lobster Crêpe. Only 105 cases produced. Also quite reduced at first with smokey matchstick but then giving way to a rich, somewhat crystalline and layered wine with lemon/citrus, stone fruit, flint, creamy vanilla and a little caramel note on the long and textured finish that is highlighted with saline and lemon. Bright and energetic yet chewy and elegant. This was a great counterpoint to the Lobster crêpe. Very Lafon/Meursault-like.
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Flight 3 - Dinner Second Course (1 note)
Mushroom Risotto, Brown Butter and Pecorino
The 2013 Siren's Call was nothing short of spectacular with a fantastic nose that went marvelously with the mushroom risotto.
Red
2013 Domaine de la Côte Pinot Noir Siren's Call
97 points
Served at Domaine de la Côte Dinner hosted by Raj Parr. Served with the second course of Mushroom Risotto. As stated on the label, 89 cases, 36 magnums and 6 Jeroboams were made of this wine. This is the first vintage of the wine made from a very dense vineyard (I think Raj said 7,000 vines per acre) planted in 2008 with ungrafted/own-rooted Calera-clone vines. The grapes were hand de-stemmed and fermented with ambient yeast. For me this was one of the best wines of the night. Truly remarkable was the bouquet which I could not stop smelling. Apparently, this wine has evolved rather favorably since Raj had last tasted it some time ago. WOW was the first thing I wrote down in my notes. It is incredibly fragrant and so complex with mixed red florals, roses, violets, spices, both sweet and savory, cherry, raspberry and wet stones. Great structure is there as well with Medium+ acidity and tannin that is there but unobtrusive. Great textured mouth feel with layers of flavor that reflect the nose and a very long finish. Perfect with the Risotto. This was really a treat and among the best California Pinot's I have had. I see no reason why this won't keep evolving in the cellar and I wouldn't be shocked if it shut down and went to sleep for a few years in the relatively near future. This is gorgeous to drink now but I would love to taste it in 5-10 years as well.
Flight 4 - Dinner Third Course (3 notes)
Roasted Chicken, Purple Polenta, Bacon and Root Vegetables
All three wines worked well but I thought the La Côte was both the best of the flight tonight and best with the food.
Red
2014 Domaine de la Côte Pinot Noir La Côte
94 points
Served at Domaine de la Côte Dinner hosted by Raj Parr. Rich and more forward than I expected and yet with lots of structure and tight knit layers of flavor and aroma. Pomegranate and baking spices are the most prominent. Very long, with good depth and complex on the finish. Needs time in the cellar. I suspect this will be very special during its second decade and potentially beyond. Very nice with the chicken dish but perhaps even better with duck.
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Red
2014 Domaine de la Côte Pinot Noir Memorious
92 points
Served at Domaine de la Côte Dinner hosted by Raj Parr. Made with 20% new French oak aging. Medium Ruby color. one is spicy and floral with some telltale vanilla. Pretty fruit forward with cherry and baking spices. Some pepper on the finish which is moderately long. Pleasant and easy drinking with a good balance of fruit, spice, richness and acidity.
Red
2014 Domaine de la Côte Pinot Noir Bloom's Field
93 points
Served at Domaine de la Côte Dinner hosted by Raj Parr. Second of three wines served with the chicken course. Nicely suited in its restrained style (for Cali) for the food pairing. Translucent medium ruby with a very floral and mineral nose. Palate has more fruit, mostly red berries and pomegranate. Good structure and nicely layered with the florals first, then the fruit, mostly cherry on the gravelly finish. Good energy and elegance, if lacking the depth and richness of the La Côte bottling.
Flight 5 - Dinner Fourth Course (1 note)
Lamb Rack, Falafel, Eggplant and Cucumber
I had not previously tasted any vintages of this bottling. It was delicious and perfect combined with the lamb with the falafel giving a different spin on the wine if you included it. Excellent!
Red
2016 Rajat Parr Wine Club Syrah Anika Bien Nacido Vineyard
95 points
Served at Domaine de la Côte Dinner hosted by Raj Parr. A very small production Syrah that comes from the "X- Block" of the Bien Nacido Vineyard. This is a big powerful Syrah that has an elegant streak. Dark, opaque garnet-crimson. Nose has licorice and lots of florals most notably. Fairly tannic for a Syrah but very balanced and structured to age, if still quite young. Tasted "crunchy" with various red and black fruit. A little tight on the mid-palate & finish but still quite long. Spicy and delicious but a wine I would love to try at 20+ years old. Great with the Lamb dish.
Flight 6 - Dinner Final Course (1 note)
Selection of Cheese, Seasonal Compote and Toasted Baguette
The Cristal was near perfection and wonderful with the cheese as well. This was my first taste of this highly acclaimed vintage.
White - Sparkling
2008 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut
98 points
The grand finale at the Domaine de la Côte Dinner hosted by Raj Parr. Also in attendance was Xavier Barlier, head of US marketing for Roederer. Served with a selection of cheese, this was a real treat. 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. The nose is explosively yeasty and reminiscent of half baked bread in the oven. It is tremendously lively and bright with lime/lemon zest, white flowers, green apple and lots of mineral notes. Incredible depth of flavor, texture and length on the finish. This should be wonderful for decades to come!
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Comments (3)
Closing
Thanks for a wonderful evening to Raj, Xavier, Nat, Noah and rest of those who made this possible. It was a wonderful evening of food, wine and conversation. Perhaps most importantly for me this was my first chance to really get a feel for how these wines will age. Being such a relatively new endeavor, it was great to taste wines from 2013 -2017 and see how they tasted as they have evolved. It was also good to see how the food pairings which were mostly pretty classic had worked out. My conclusion is that these wines do indeed have great potential to age and will be sure to give some of them a chance to do so in my cellar.