Started off with the 2002 Leroy Meursault which was correct and nothing more. This was the type of wine you stick in front of someone's face and say "This is Meursault." Classic wine with some toasty oak, spice, iodine, halzenuts and fresh minerality. Good acid, uncomplicated nutty/minerally/lemon flavors, fatter texture and a 10 second finish. Good but no reason to drink it again.
Next up was the 1994 Beaucastel Roussanne "Vieilles Vignes" which was interesting but ultimately too low in acidity for me to enjoy. I mean there was like zero acidity on this wine. Flavors were tropical and there were some interesting mineral notes but ultimately (sorry Jacques) this was the flabbiest wine I have ever had. Like a Picasso without a frame. Very interesting material but it falls way flat.
Next moved on to the 2004 Clos de Papes which I thought was a mess. Hot, out of balance, lacking fruit..just blehhhh.......yes there was some herbs de provence but they were soaked in licorice ethanol. I so don't like CDP anymore.
The next wine was the 1999 Chateau Simone Rouge. The secret will never be out about Palette and I am all the more happy for it. The wine is still a relative value and is absolutely delicious. A blend of 40% Grenache, 20% Mouvedre, Cinsault, Syrah, Carignan, Black Muscat PG, Castet, Manosquin, Brun-Fourca, and Cabernet. Some wild stuff in there. The wine had a beguiling nose of red currants, lavender, leather, dried red roses, some tea spice and intense stony minerality. The palate had incredible lift and freshness die to its wonderful cleansing acidity. The fruit was briary and fresh with great complexity and intense minerality on the palate. Outstanding length and wonderfully food friendly wine with loads of character. Next up is the white for this weekend which is pictured above.
There was another wine. I just don't feel like hating on Artadi right now. It was '94 El Pison. You all can assume how much I liked it.
I don't get props for introducing you to Country Cafe??
ReplyDeleteClos des Papes jumped the couch with the 2003. Thanks Robert M. Parker "Junior"!
Your notes are spot on. It was great to see you and thanks for sharing the Simone.
ReplyDeleteI was relieved that the Beaucastel wasn't skunked. Flabby, absolutely, but I am not against all things flabby....thankfully neither is my wife.
Talk to you soon.
agree 100% on the 2004 CdesP CdP. not as bad oas the 2003, but ridiculous alcohol level.
ReplyDeleteYaac----oops I mean anonynmous..thanks for introducing me to CC....I love it.....
ReplyDeleteCharles,
I would rather drink 2004 Clos de Papes than 2003 Clos de Papes as I would rather see a speech by Alberto Gonzales over a speech by Dick Cheney.
Great note about the 1999 Chateau Simone red. I recently open ed a bottle of the 2003, which is also spectacular albeit very young. I was at the chateau a month ago, but they don't taste, so I didn't get a chance to taste through some older vintages...
ReplyDeleteAs far as the CDP is concerned, I am sorry to hear you didn't like it. In no small part because I fear I may not like it either when I get it later this year. The 2005, which I recently tasted at the domaine is a stunner though and far from overblown as far as I am concerned.