Blind tasting lunch notes
2004 Bernard Defaix Chablie prem. cru Cote de Lechet – this was a sort of continuation of a tasting begun last month when we tasted this vintage of the Pommier and Dampt wines from this vintage and property. Fairly rich citrus nose, nice entry with some fruit but then the wine seemed to go flat in the mouth and though it did show some length, there was no fruit there, only lean acidity. Not sure what happened with this wine.
1999 Laroche Dom. au Moines Savennieres Roche aux Moines – first, I love Savennieres. Second, I failed to nail this one. Slightly oxidized nose with hints of vinyl, lots of colour, quite ripe, sweet and long. Nowhere near as lean and acidic as I’d normally expect a wine like this to be at this age. I’m not sure if this is house style or not, but there were some nice things here, I just wouldn’t hold it too long.
1999 Dom. de Montille Pommard 1er cru Rugiens – some wood as well as a nice fruity cherry element in this nose, and a floral component. Soft tannin, elegant for a Pommard, well balanced and long, if slightly astringent at the end.
2001 Jamet Cote Rotie – dark wine with a rubber, and oak with high toned wood smoke and (eventually after airing) some pleasant floral elements as the Viognier worked its way to the fore. Supple, smooth and long, a very nice Cote Rotie.
2000 Dom. de Trevallon – this Provencal wine had us wondering but I came close when I said it had a Rhone nose but was a claret in the mouth ( it is 50/50 cab/syrah). A little pong to the nose and later a bit of dill, the wine was dark and juicy, still with a fair bit of tannin, good acidity and a hint of green at the end.
1999 Sassotondo San Lorenzo – an IGT wine made from 100% Cilegiolo grapes, this was also fairly dark in colour, with dark fruit and a hint of spice in the nose, smooth and balanced in the mouth. Very nice.
20001 Aalto Ribera Del Duero – this 100% Tempranillo was excellent with a warm oaky nose that later turned to a real cocoa-moccha delight, and it is young with firm tannins but drinks well. This leaves me wondering when I can think of drinking my 2005!
1996 Laurel Glen Cabernet – a warm, interesting (but hard to describe) nose, smooth and mellow with decent fruit and good length. The overall impression wasn’t up to the ones I’ve tasted from the late 80s, but it was quite good nonetheless. We never see this wine up in Canada, sadly.
1983 Taylors Port – this has been quite forward and developed the last few times I’ve tasted it. Medium colour, lightening just a bit, neither too sweet nor too hot, mellow and long, a perfect end to a lunch even in warm weather.