Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  12/27/2008 (link)

  (STEPHAN Cote Rotie) Weekend Rhone Dear Friends, I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful holiday - here is a small list of Rhone re-order wines that I was able to secure more of (from offers over the past few years). We always receive requests for additional wine after people begin to open their bottles but most are no longer available - once in a while I get lucky and find a small additional Parcel. All should be at great prices with impeccable provenance: 2005 Domaine la Barroche Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reserve Ok, this isn't the Parker 100pt 2005 Barroche "Pure" but, at this price, I don't think anyone will care? The Cuvee Reserve is Barroche's most traditional wine but it remains somewhat controversial due to the expectations provided by the Pure (a far more extracted example). Those expecting the modern intensity of the "Pure" have been taken aback by the restrained style of the Cuvee Reserve. On the other hand, if your preference leans toward the medium weight and old-style of CdP, this wine is poised to evolve into something quite interesting - especially at this price, what should be the lowest in the world by a wide margin: 2004 Jean-Michel Stephan Cote Rotie This wine has evolved in a beautiful way - full of animale, funk and the perfumed, meaty tones that can only come from the hillsides above Ampuis. In some ways, this reminds me of a medium weight top-flight Saint-Joseph for its natural leaning but more than ample material. Stephan is leading the way in Cote Rotie toward a vinification style that challenges the old-guard (no additions, no chemicals, no added yeast) and he's quite the talk of the town. This wine will be admired by many - it proves that Cote Rotie doesn't have to cost a fortune to deliver a lovely drinking experience: 2004 Jean-Michel Stephan Cote Rotie "en Coteaux" From some of the oldest vines in Cote Rotie, those in Ampuis will tell you Stephan's "en Coteaux" is one of the very best wines of the region. If you give this limited production wine 6-10 years in the cellar it should provide a magical experience. This is nowhere near as poor as Parker's review but his verbiage has the wine at almost half price (keep in mind, James Molesworth tried the wine after it had time to settle down - nearly half a year in bottle. Parker tried the wine after only one week in bottle). After a complete retrospective of the entire vintage, Molesworth only rated three wines higher than this (only by one point): Guigal's La Landonne, La Mouline and Ogier's Lancement - that's it. If you are into Cote Rotie, this should be more than worth the gamble and it's at a crazy price - only 120 cases produced and most went to restaurants in France: Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Rhone7620 Rhone7630 Rhone7640

• By Jon Rimmerman
  8/7/2007 (link)

  (J-M Stephan Cote Rotie) Cote Rotie Dear Friends, Jean-Michel Stephan is back and if you’re looking for a Cote Rotie to drink while you wait for your 2003’s to come around, look no further. If you are interested in the most cutting edge of producers, Stephan is of that ilk preferring to go his own way rather than listen to anyone’s ramble about what should or should not be done. He is passionate, artistic and obsessed with quality and reflection of terroir in his wines. All of his 2004’s merit attention but they are not for those seeking 2003-like over the top or in-your-face qualities. This wine is precise with an elegance and reserved style that is quite varietal in its focus. If you like Cote Rotie, I think you will find much to admire in this wine as it is much more than just skin deep. Most would think I’m crazy for including an 87pt Parker rating but if you read the verbiage the wine sure sounds good to me. If you are ok with enjoying an 87pt wine, I encourage you to experiment with Stephan’s very rare Cote Rotie: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for rarity and cutting edge attention to the most minute details ONE SHIPMENT ONLY directly from the winery cellar with perfect provenance 2004 Jean-Michel Stephan Cote-Rotie Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Rhone7730