Big wine weekend-tastings and more. .
Terroir Wine Bar continues to rock!
Had my first Vouvray tonight-a 1994 Phillipe Foreau Moelleux. As my first Vouvray, I don't know if this is a good example or not, but I certainly found it fascinating. Wow. Had no idea people drunk whites this old (other than Rieslings). This was quite unique and very new to my experience-my very first transluscent orange white wine! Definitely interesting to see what oxidation does to older French whites. As I mentioned, great and weird orange color. A great deal of good refershing acidity remains-more than I would expect. Flavors of caramel, citrus, peach with a very savory note on the palate. Very good and very interesting. Purchased one bottle.
Another first: My first Cot: 2004 Thierry Puzelat KO "In Cot We Trust" Touraine AOC Cutesy name aside, and after just a tiny sample, this wine was a rustic blast of earthy and savory flavor, with a nice hit of black fruit. Purple color. Lots of sediment, too. Filter this beauty. Very interesting and excellent.
And...my love for Cru Beaujolais continues, with a lovely dark earthy rich mouthful of blackberry fruit and savory notes from the 2005 Christophe Pacalet Chiroubles. Yum! Delicious now. No need to wait, although Stephane recommended decanting to allow the fizz to settle down.
Also sampled another half glass of Chateau le Puy Cotes de Francs. I like this wine ervy time I've tried it. Soft tannins, but in no way sweet or Napa-esque, this is a darker and earthier wine by far. No need to cellar this one (especially given the lack of sulfur)
Other wines this weekend: Sequoia Grove 2004 Syrah (Stagecoach Vineyard). I continue to love this wine. Very dark earthy fruit, a nice blast of black pepper and meaty notes. Not from a cool climate at all, really, but boy this is not a fruit bomb. Not made to age, the tannins are pretty soft. But, at $20 (club price), I would rather drink this than many more expensive Napa Syrahs.
2000 William Harrison Cabernet Franc (Estate Grapes) A mixed review for me. On the positive side-this had a beautiful blast of dark berry fruit. There were the green pepper notes, but only wafting through on the finish and not dominating at all-just adding complexity. Very smooth, the tannins have been well resolved. What was interesting was how the wine evolved and opened, becoming darker and richer.
On the negative-24 months on French Oak. That's just too long!! Luckily, the fruit was good enough, and myh friends enjoyed it. Good overall, but why do Napa winemakers love their oak so darn much? There is bottle variation, with some bottles showing less oaky!