To celebrate Bastille Day, we opened a couple bottles of French wine to accompany a very nice dinner at the packed, Lavandou in Cleveland Park.
Opening Whites
I drank these alongside a beautiful bowl of Vichyssoise.
- 2007 François Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Les Tuffeaux - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Montlouis-sur-Loire
Had a beautiful vanilla bean nose with pure white florals and a drop or two of honey. Palate has a touch of sweetness (that I must admit went incredibly well with a bowl of Vichyssoise), and very pure and elegant tones of white pears, apples, and subtle herbs. (91 pts.) - 1999 Meyer-Fonné Riesling Wineck-Schlossberg - France, Alsace, Katzenthal & Ammerschwihr, Alsace Grand Cru AOC
I've been of fan of Schlossberg rieslings for sometime now, but this was my first time trying a Grand Cru riesling from Wineck-Schlossberg situated nearby (from what I can tell). The bouquet here was sleek and precise with lychee, lemon, rocks, and lanolin all intertwined. The palate was also razor sharp with precise citrus and mineral tones. Finish was lengthly and complex. Thought this was drinking exceptionally well. (93 pts.)
The Truchot paired nicely with veal and a celery root sauce.
- 1999 Domaine Truchot-Martin Morey St. Denis 1er Cru Clos Sorbes Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey St. Denis 1er Cru
Started off with a very funky nose (that i loved) with some radish tones. After about 45 minutes sitting in my glass, the radish-driven spiciness gave way to very lithe red fruit, some mushroom earthiness, and a clove spice. What I'm learning about the Clos Sorbes bottling by Truchot is that the palate is uniquely characterized by a dry-aged beef meatiness. In contrast to say, a northern rhone syrah that has a meaty core of bacon and blood...this is funkier, but still meaty. I believe David Schildknecht characterized this as a "brothy" flavor - which I think it on point. I wish I could have had another couple of hours with this as it showed best just as desert was being served. Lovely wine, that I think needs a couple hours of decanting at the moment to really open up. (93 pts.)
Figs and soft goat cheese paired nicely with these.
- 1994 Trimbach Gewurztraminer Sélection de Grains Nobles - France, Alsace, Alsace AOC
This wine was characterized by incredible freshness, crisp flavors of apricot, pear, spring herb, and white florals. The palate was silky, and the finish was firm with nice acidity. Beautiful wine. (93 pts.) - 1995 Domaine Cady Coteaux du Layon Saint-Aubin de Luigné Cuvée Eléonore SGN - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Coteaux du Layon Saint-Aubin de Luigné
A hair too sweet for my personal tastes, but the body of the wine and depth of flavors were impressive. Baked fruit, a touch of maple syrup with the acid reminiscent of dandelion stems. (90 pts.)
