WTNs I'd forgotten in my drawer

Ch La Croix de Gay 2000

A rather elegant wine for the year and area. It seems typical "plummy" (as the stereotype goes) Pomerol, which starts out red berried but turns darker toned on the scent the longer it is open. It is exotic, spicy (like walking in the spice bazaar of Damascus - not that this will say much to anyone) and has some espresso. Both of these I find are oak related scents, but here somehow I just don't get overt oakiness despite these descriptors. Anyone know how much and what type and age of oak this sees?

The palate is rather ripe and sweetly fruity, yet almost Burgundian in its poise and lift. This wine is again an exception to my generalisations. I usually find 2000s a bit too heavy and lacking in freshness, but this, though a full bodied wine, is light on its feet and is very fresh. Very nice.

I am intrigued by this Chateaux as I have never tasted anything else from them, nor heard much of them, but this bottle was very fine indeed.

Domaine Arretxea Hegoxuri 2004

This is, I believe, a blend of the Mansengs from somewhere in the Basque areas of France. It rocks. It is lean, green and frightfully acidic. Light and very fresh, yet to me it is totally balanced though I am sure many will find it shrill and maybe even undrinkable. Lovely!

Serge Batard Domaine Les Hautes Noëlles Muscadet Sur Lie Muscadet Côtes de Grand Lieu 2004

Yummy. A rather friendly and fruit forward style of Muscadet - if that's not an oxymoron. It still has all the true aromas of Muscadet and is much fun to drink. I like it.

Serge Batard Domaine Les Hautes Noëlles Muscadet Sur Lie Muscadet Côtes de Grand Lieu 2005

Also yummy, but if we agree it's not an oxymoron, this is even more friendly and fruit forward a Muscadet. I did prefer the 2004 as that gave me more of an acid mouthwash, but I'll not turn down a glass of six of this either.

-O-

I've got a couple bottles of the '00 LCdG, but haven't tasted since release. I'd have guessed some new oak, but not all (the luxury cuvee La Fleur du Gay certainly sees 100%). Thanks for notes, I'm planning on mine resting abit more.

I've got a couple bottles of the '00 LCdG, but haven't tasted since release. I'd have guessed some new oak, but not all (the luxury cuvee La Fleur du Gay certainly sees 100%). Thanks for notes, I'm planning on mine resting abit more.

My bottle (of redoubtable provenance) was showing lovely. If stored well, I wouldn't have opened it now. But I'm glad I did - it was a lovely youthful wine and fully open. My guess as to the oak is like yours, but, pedant that I am, I'd like to know for sure.

[Jenise]

(like walking in the spice bazaar of Damascus - not that this will say much to anyone)

Been there. Great image, combined somehow in my head with the taste of street-vendor roasted corn.

(like walking in the spice bazaar of Damascus - not that this will say much to anyone)

Been there. Great image, combined somehow in my head with the taste of street-vendor roasted corn.

LOL!! If talking of Damscene fast food, I was always more fond of sháwarma (or shwarma as it is often Anglicised) and faláfal. Take the corn out, then you have the scent I was after.

[Jenise]

Take the corn out, then you have the scent I was after.

Go crush thee about half a tsp of dried mint then add about a tsp ea cumin and cinnamon. You'll be right about there.

Go crush thee about half a tsp of dried mint then add about a tsp ea cumin and cinnamon. You'll be right about there.

Did that. Not quite the scent though. Maybe add a couple drops of rosewater and a narghile with the mix of two apples and then we might be there!