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Kermit Lynch Wine dinner: Bistro Laurent
Paso Robles, CA
Tasted May 1, 2008 by DianeR with 762 views
Introduction
Our introduction to Hospice du Rhone was an excellent dinner at Bistro Laurent, on Thursday evening, with wine pairings from Kermit Lynch selections. The highlight for me was meeting each of the winemakers - many of whom were on their first trip to the States. It was a pleasure to drink the wines, to hear about them, and to be able to ask questions of the winemakers directly.
Flight 1 (8 notes)
Rosé
2007 Château de Trinquevedel Tavel
88 points
Delicious - characteristic light, rosé from Tavel, with notes of strawberries and a hint of spice. 45% Grenache, with Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvedre making up the remaining 55%. For Guillaume, the winemaker, this is the second vintage of the Trinquevedal rosé. An excellent accompaniment to the hors d'oeuvres at Bistro Laurent.
White
2006 Domaine Faury St. Joseph Blanc
86 points
Paired with olive tapenade and a marinated sea scallop tart. A light wine, with a slightly harsh note on the finish. Notes of pineapple, cream, vanilla, and wet slate. Marsanne / Rousanne blend. The winemaker, Phillippe Faury, and his wife were on their first visit to the United States and joined us for dinner at Bistro Laurent. Phillippe is still the primary winemaker for the estate, but now has some additional help in the vineyards and the winery.
Red
2001 Domaine de la Charbonnière Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Mourre des Perdrix
92 points
The nose was wonderful, with smoke, leather, cherry, and cloves - a very intriguing wine. On the palate, an excellent balance, with more leather, tobacco, strawberries - smooth mouthfeel, good structure, and earthy fruit. Slightly closed, but the wine opened up gradually as we enjoyed dinner. Paired with a sautéed filet of "John Dory" in a red wine reduction at Bistro Laurent. 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre.
Red
2003 Domaine Faury St. Joseph (Hedonism)
86 points
Notes of olives, olives, and more olives. Very distinctive, gamey note, with wild herbs, bacon, and a hint of smoke. Not a bad wine, but it needed some time to open up (and to see if there were any more subtle flavors under the olives). Paired with sautéed filet of "John Dory".
Red
2005 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas
89 points
Very closed wine - needs time. The nose is slightly smoky, and the wine has a very tannic mouthfeel. Lots of potential in this wine, but very hard to read it. The wine is made from old vines, rooted in granite soil.
Red
2006 Domaine Catherine Le Goeuil Cairanne Cuvée Lea Felsch
89 points
Pleasant wine, with hints of lavender and strawberries, and a good, light mouthfeel. Paired with roasted rack of lamb, and was an unexpectedly good match. Has the structure to balance the floral and berry notes.
Red
2000 Domaine du Gros 'Noré Bandol
90 points
No formal notes - paired with a selection of cheeses. Good, solid Bandol red wine, with notes of smoke, mushroom, and blackberry.
Red
2005 Domaine Tempier Bandol La Tourtine
92 points
Delicious - paired with a selection of cheeses. Deep, earthy nose, with hints of mineral, earth, sweet black cherry, and leather. Excellent balance and structure, and still very young. This would be an excellent one to taste in 5-10 years.