Wine Berserkers - international wine social media, online community, and discussion

IlkkaL

We then went to Le Verre Vole for another bottle. The wine list is just outstanding and very well priced. I could've come back the following days just to order various bottles, but we wanted to explore other places too (i.e. my wife did...) Anyway, we had a 2011 Overnoy Arbois Pupillin and were qui...

IlkkaL

Without a doubt one of the best values in rosé Champagne. Apparently there is now also Rosé Extra Brut, I wonder if anyone here has tried that one yet?

IlkkaL

Don’t we get a tasting note or at least your personal opinion?

IlkkaL

aux crieurs de vin Judging from their Instagram page, this definitely looks like a place we will hit. Thanks for the other responses - I will check out the UK pages. This would be my rec as well. As is usual in such places you can have any bottle from the shelves of their wine shop in the restauran...

IlkkaL

I'm curious as to what people think is not "Cornas" about these. They tend to be made in a rich, dark-fruited style as the original TN says. They are not bretty or "wild," which Cornas sometimes is -- true. But they aren't influenced by new barriques. I don't think they are at the very top level of...

IlkkaL

Al Osterheld wrote: ↑
January 19th, 2020, 2:19 pm
The 2016 Geynale was pretty enjoyable in June 2018. Obviously, it was quite young and not very developed, but highly enjoyable (tried a bottle to decide whether to buy).

-Al

Yeah, it seems that the 2016 vintage in the region is just overall awesome. Good data point anyway, thanks.

IlkkaL

Robert.A.Jr. wrote: ↑
January 19th, 2020, 7:05 am
Definitely try the Geynale!

For sure if the opportunity presents itself. Right now I only see the 2017 and 2018 available - I suppose there would be not much point opening either anytime soon?

IlkkaL

Not a fan of the 30 or 60 but the Geynale is pretty traditional to me, well, perhaps not so much the 2015 but that’s more the vintage. Different vineyards and I think 100% whole cluster in the Geynale. Geynale is very old vines he inherited from his uncle, Michel. The 30 and 60 definitely taste lik...

IlkkaL

I was well aware of this wine's reputation as not the most Cornas-like Cornas out there and right on opening it indeed came across as soft and tame. Fortunately it became sturdier in the decanter and in the end I was quite happy with the wine's performance. I would say that it is in a good place rig...

IlkkaL

Great notes. The flower is a passion flower. Thanks! Mother nature is quite amazing. Thanks for the pics and writeup! I've been to France many times, but due to the distance from the rest of France, never made it to Brittany. I've always wanted to and the your pictures feed the desire! For years we...

IlkkaL

2015 Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly Les Griottes de Brulhié I tried to avoid 2015 Beaujolais like plague but of course an online retailer shipped me this vintage instead of the 2016 I had ordered. Nothing about the CT notes makes me think that this wine would transcend the vintage like only a few w...

IlkkaL

Hi Kent, I totally get your comments. I bought and cellared Clape Cornas for a long time (20+ years). I no longer buy it and I sold off the majority of my holdings. I enjoy it but as you say, at that price point, nothing exciting or special. When I compare it to the Gonon St Joseph at half the pric...

IlkkaL

http://i.ibb.co/5LnDtCR/IMG-E0296.jpg After driving a bit less than three hours almost straight south we stopped to check out a town on the Atlantic coast with a rather unfortunate name: Pornic. La Canicule heatwave was barbecuing many parts of France but for some reason for a large part of our hol...

IlkkaL

Great notes and very interesting, thanks Ilkkal, I'll look out for his wines. I love the name, which loosely translates as "Cuckolds' Corner"! I tried to find a translation for 'cocus' as well and what I could find was more along the lines of 'son of a whore' which would make sense as a reference t...

IlkkaL

Batardière was a fantastic discovery for me on my last Paris visit in April '19. We were served the L'Esprit Libre and ran around looking for more. Though it's labeled VdF, I believe the fruit is also Anjou. Thanks for your note. Yeah, to me it seems like there is more and more high quality VdF mad...

IlkkaL

I have mixed feelings about the nattiest of the Loire natural wine scene but wines like this are the reason why I remain interested in finding new producers of this ilk. Quite cool stuff, I think. 2015 Thomas Batardière Vin de France Clos des Cocus - France, Vin de France (16.1.2020) In France many ...

IlkkaL

According to CT 71 wines from my cellar, although I don't put quite everything there. Weak, I know. Obviously the overall consumption is more (restaurants, tasting etc) but the general trend really is worrisome as in 2016 the number was 98. Unfortunately I cannot see myself starting to exercise any ...

IlkkaL

jason stein wrote: ↑
January 15th, 2020, 3:02 am

IlkkaL wrote: ↑
January 14th, 2020, 10:19 pm
Thanks for the note! Sounds really intriguing and I happen to know a retailer with a wide selection of Clair's wines but the pricing gives me a pause. Do you think the value is there at 67 € a bottle?
In my opinion absolutely, that's about what I paid for them in the US.

Awesome, thanks.

IlkkaL

Thanks for the note! Sounds really intriguing and I happen to know a retailer with a wide selection of Clair's wines but the pricing gives me a pause. Do you think the value is there at 67 € a bottle?

IlkkaL

Have you ever been to any of the three regions you mention? The villages of Alsace are obviously unique and something to be experienced and the region overall is a very beautiful and special one and the distances are not that great. Loire is much, much larger but if you are into visiting the castles...

IlkkaL

Just a heads-up: I love Duroché's wines, and have tried a range of his village and 1er crus. I loved the first 2014 Bourgogne blanc I had so much I bought two cases of mixed vintages, from various US retailers, and almost every one of them was pre-moxed. YMMV. Ouch, that really sucks. I’ve understo...

IlkkaL

Thanks for the note. I've found I rather enjoy CdN whites, when done well they're unique and very enjoyable. Fourrier Bourgogne Blanc is a great one for my palate. Actually have a 2011 on deck, will post notes when I crack it open. Please do! I was hoping I would get some suggestions for other CdN ...

IlkkaL

I don't have much experience with the whites of Côte de Nuits and most certainly this is my first one made from grapes grown in Gevrey-Chambertin. It is definitely less expressive and less generous than its many southern counterparts and also the whites of Domaine de l'Arlot from Nuits St. Georges f...

IlkkaL

Alright, I’m heading to Laguiole next summer

IlkkaL

This. 2 years ago, I ordered a bottle of 2004 Rogeard Bourg at a terrific restaurant near Laguiole in Aveyron and the price of the bottle was below any WS US prices. After the meal, I asked the sommelier if I can buy a few more bottles to take home, he politely said no as he'd prefer to serve his r...

IlkkaL

However even if a restaurant does sell some wines to go they don’t necessarily want to part with their more strictly allocated wines that way. Never hurts to ask, of course. This. 2 years ago, I ordered a bottle of 2004 Rogeard Bourg at a terrific restaurant near Laguiole in Aveyron and the price o...

IlkkaL

I’m not sure if it requires a separate license but many restaurants certainly do sell wines to go. However even if a restaurant does sell some wines to go they don’t necessarily want to part with their more strictly allocated wines that way. Never hurts to ask, of course.

IlkkaL

I'm happy to hear that! Again, thanks for the post. It’s a first for me learn about “corkage” in a wine bar/shop in France. A little surprising. Well I don't know if corkage was the right word here but indeed these winebar/wineshop hybrids are very common in France and most often there is a fixed €...

IlkkaL

http://i.ibb.co/sPNX2gM/IMG-E0197.jpg The various D-Day locations are obviously a very important destination for many visiting Normandy. My girlfriend was not sure she wanted to experience them beforehand but as we were about to leave Deauville for Bretagne we decided to head for Omaha Beach first....

IlkkaL

Ilkka thanks for taking the time to post. Entertaining and informative! RT I'm happy to hear that! Again, thanks for the post. It’s a first for me learn about “corkage” in a wine bar/shop in France. A little surprising. Well I don't know if corkage was the right word here but indeed these winebar/w...

IlkkaL

We've stayed at Rieslinghaus's B&B a couple of times in Bernkastel. Nothing fancy but good value with modern rooms. The town is obviously very popular with tourists but we like it nonetheless.

IlkkaL

Thanks for the comments! If you have been to any of the places we visited I would love to hear if there was something awesome that we missed. http://i.ibb.co/f25ZwyC/IMG-E0133.jpg We arrived to Deauville conveniently to check in to our modest but perfectly adequate hotel that was located several blo...

IlkkaL

Thank you for the great information and photographs. I could never walk 25,000 steps in a day but these beautiful places might give me the incentive to try. My wife and I especially like La Rochelle and Île de Ré. That is most likely because we have friends that live in La Rochelle and on Île de Ré...

IlkkaL

It took a while but here I am with another road trip recap. Heading into summer 2019 we knew we wanted to drive again a few thousand kilometers around Central Europe like we had done every summer since 2012 besides 2016. Previously we had always taken the long route by driving there all the way from...

IlkkaL

Mich@el Ch@ng wrote: ↑
January 2nd, 2020, 3:19 am
They are also nicely featured on a year in chamapagne.

I don't think I've seen that one, need to check it out. Thanks.

IlkkaL

Not a lot of talk about this grower here on WB but I am quickly becoming a fan after this one and their Blanc de Noirs. Both wines succeed in having just the right proportions of vinosity, structure, character and drinkability for my palate. NV Gonet-Médeville Champagne Tradition Premier Cru Brut -...

IlkkaL

Not a lot of talk about this grower here on WB but I am quickly becoming a fan after this one and their Blanc de Noirs. Both wines succeed in having just the right proportions of vinosity, structure, character and drinkability for my palate. NV Gonet-Médeville Champagne Tradition Premier Cru Brut - ...

IlkkaL

I'm not generally a huge pét-nat guy but this one I found quite civilized and totally irresistible.

IlkkaL

In October, I met Jonathan and Victor in NYC - I brought the 2005 of this wine. Sadly it was only aerated in decanter for ~ 45 minutes (ty Gramercy Tavern), but still, I thought it quite lovely, very elegant. It's a nice time to visit these if you're sitting on any, even if it'll hold, and positive...

IlkkaL

Sounds like a plan, especially so considering that 2006 should be an even longer lived vintage. I might buy some myself as funny enough I just found it for a price lower than what I paid for the 2007 at the winery [wow.gif] Oddero switched importers on both coasts a couple of years ago and the old ...

IlkkaL

Thanks Ilkka! I have a bottle of the 2006 and was wondering to myself when it will be time to pop. Your feedback means i'll aim for at least 2026 and enjoy as a 20 year old youngster! Sounds like a plan, especially so considering that 2006 should be an even longer lived vintage. I might buy some my...

IlkkaL

Common sense would tell you to wait on a wine like this at age 12 but sometimes we do ill-advised things. I suppose it played a part that these back vintages of Oddero are somewhat readily available at decent prices. Despite its current state it was not at all undrinkable with nicely marbled beef si...

IlkkaL

I can't say that the wines Jura are totally outside my comfort zone but in all honesty I don't really drink them at home ever. I believe this is the second Jura red I've ever brought home and the first from the Poulsard grape. This producer however was a complete stranger to me when I bought the bot...

IlkkaL

I think many people are dismissive of village wines and some of that perception has probably rubbed off on me, but this was a very fine bottle making me wonder what their premier crus are like. For the price I paid, around $40US, I would most certainly buy it again. Hope that explains better. It mo...

IlkkaL

Guigal, Saint Joseph (blanc), 'Lieu Dit', 2012 Don't know why Guigal needs to put 'lieu dit' on the label while simultaneously not telling us which one? This a medium deep gold with paraffin on nose and a rich stew of butter, boiled peanut, and lemon-thyme honeycomb wax on the palate. There's that ...

IlkkaL

I personally prefer their Clos de Cuminaille St-Jo, even if it’s not the most traditional Syrah either.

IlkkaL

Ramon C wrote: ↑
December 7th, 2019, 4:53 am
Bought and finished 3 bottles of 2015 Monier Perreol S-J. Impressed.

That’s nice to hear. Personally I’m not a huge fan of the vintage due to the ripeness and in some cases alcohol as well.

IlkkaL

First time with these two producers. Both bottles were double decanted and notes taken roughly 2 hours after opening. Will definitely keep my eyes open for more Monier Perréol moving forward. 2011 Johann Michel Cornas - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas (6.12.2019) Perfumed and thoroughly bloody...

IlkkaL

While on holiday in Normandy this year I came across wines from this producer in a shop in Trouville: https://www.arpents-du-soleil.com/

That said I managed to resist the temptation while there and focused on drinking the rather tasty local ciders

IlkkaL

I like Peillot's traditional method Bugey-Montagnieu Brut, haven't tried his still wines. Nothing about that bottling screams natural wine to me, though.

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