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I recently tried and failed to convince a NYC friend that Pierre Paillard makes good Champagne. Agree on Saxxum. Marcassin for $25! Fascinating Swan. A plug for Grivot Beaux Monts. I try to steer clear of Dominique Laurent. Voillot, often overlooked. I very much enjoy your "impressions".

RT

I've had some Montevertine Pergole Torte and Castellare that I thought were gorgeous. Some Monsanto and Felsina examples too. I don't typically buy Chianti for "excitement". It pairs beautifully with lots of foods and the QPR is pretty outstanding IMHO. Clearly YMMV. Kind of surprised there's no Bob...

You'll want the TGV exit north of the Sheraton, for hotel shuttles. Take the elevator up to level/niveau 5 from the TGV . There're taxis and hotel shuttles. I'd recommend calling for a Marriott pickup. From Paris, I prefer the RER to Terminal 2 Roissypole-Gare station, just north of there....an easy...

Nice seeing you at the event Jay. We'll agree to disagree about Pierre Paillard....who admittedly charmed me, pointing directly to his Maillerettes and Mottelettes (say that 3x fast). Didn't try his other offerings. We agree on Bereche. Always a fan of the Drapper NV Rose and I enjoyed the 2008 Gran...

2014 C&P Breton Nuits D'Ivresse 2016 La Grange Tiphaine, Clef de Sol Rouge, noticed it on a P.Lepeltier list a few years ago and it's been a consistent performer. 2016 La Grange Tiphaine, Cot VV 2016 Vincent Gaudry, Vincentgetorix, Sancerre Rouge 2017 Christian Venier, Le Clos des Carteries, Chevern...

If you go back to my post above, the bulk wine/grocery store level wines market is France goes way beyond "we have enough" and "we like to drink local." There is so much overrun it's been turned into useable fuel for years. And, IIRC, even domestic acts of vandalism (wine terrorism?) to destroy som...

Jay Miller wrote: ↑
November 6th, 2018, 8:23 am
2014 F. Cotat Sancerre Rose
2004 Levet Chavaroche
2004 Levet Journaries
Yes, I know. Buying hiatus, yadda, yadda...

There's another Jay Miller in the Cellar Reduction Plan thread who seems to want to get rid of wine. You two should hook up.

RT

MitchTallan wrote: ↑
November 2nd, 2018, 9:16 pm
.... we rode pedestrian bikes every day and dreamed of Schwinn Paramounts

It's been almost 50 years and I still dream of those Schwinn Paramounts.

RT

There's a lot to be said for straightforward enjoyable daily drinking wines, especially those with an emotional connection. We probably go through 2 - 4 bottles of Beaujolais/month. You've reminded me that the "drink now" supply is running low so it's time to keep an eye open.

RT

Maybe someday. Whenever I hear about a Marc Tarlov project, I have an urge to put my wallet in the front pants pocket and keep one hand on it. His dreams of Evening Land price escalation fell to earth pretty fast. Maybe Chapter 24 has taken off? This venture too?. You'll never know unless you try. I...

paying $100-$200 for Oregon wine baffles me when there's SO much better wines elsewhere for that price. I think this is the crux of the matter. My perception is that Bill Sweeney started this thread asking about $100+ Oregon Pinots with the expectation that they'd be the best. There's a not insigni...

Gordon Fitz wrote: ↑
October 29th, 2018, 11:25 am
Brickhouse makes the best OR gamay hands down!

Maybe true of old...and no slight to Doug or his abilities. I recently consumed a few bottles from Vincent (Vincent Fritzsche) and they were excellent and on par. Belle Pente does a very nice Gamay Noir. I'm sure there are others.

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Jim, as you know, comparisons between Burgundy and OR are tricky, sometimes appropriate...sometimes not. Many $300 and $400 Burgs today could've been found for $120 - $150 not all that long ago. It was demand and scarcity that shot up the price...not a change in quality IMHO. So, in a somewhat twist...

For ribeye I'd probably go Northern Rhone, Bandol, Bordeaux or Brunello. Barolo from a tannic vintage is a good call too. Hard to disagree Doug. Don't forget the Chianti and Steak Fiorentina pairing. A village Burg might struggle to pair well, but I like the Jadot 1er suggestions that Mark made: Ru...

As a lay consumer, my perspective is that fine wine prices are driven by a strange and difficult-to-predict correlation between marketing, demand, scarcity and perceived quality. Demand for Burgundy has caused prices to escalate to the point that I've virtually stopped buying all the wines I used to...

I live within a few miles of the epicenter. Hope is not going to stop this critter. They reproduce in the millions and they're on the way. CT and Mass should have a few years to go unless some are accidentally transported. They're reportedly quite a potential problem for orchards and vineyards, espe...

I guess your sh*t does not smell. Howard, my sh*t is as smelly as anyone's. I prefer to manage my sh*t in a sanitary manner and relatively privately. When people deposit 7000+ sh*ts in a limited area, over the same few hours with inadequate infrastructure....that's when things can become unpleasant...

Well...hopefully they can keep the tradition going. About 10 years ago, there was a restaurant in Saint-Ouen with Coche on the list. Not cheap, but available. Food was also "ok". I made it there twice. Sadly, Le Coq de la Maison Blanche is no more.

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Greg, pretty sure the secret is out. They're almost always impressive!

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Thanks for the update Rick. Hoping for good things from 2017.

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These days.... NV Bereche Champagne Brut Reserve Jo Landron Amphibolite Muscadet Pepiere Clos des Briords Muscadet Paul Pernot Bourgogne Blanc Muri-Gries Lagrein Rosato C&P Breton Nuits D'Ivresse Bourgueil Vincent Gaudry Vincentgetorix Sancerre Rouge Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Montesecondo ...

Not familiar with Issy les Moulineaux but I recently biked through part of it...crossing the Pont de Billancourt after descending from the Foret de Meudon. Also checked out some of neighboring Malakoff which seemed like another nice banlieue. There's so much to see downtown for the first several vis...

Looked familiar. https://i.imgur.com/Yhm2hTM.jpg?2 Last October while my nephews were roller skating on the rink behind me. Andrew did you work at La Defense? Yes, the Metro 1 line is very fast and direct from downtown. Amazing how easy/fast the RER A is too if you're looking to cross the entire Cit...

Interesting Andrew. La Defense will be cold and likely windy in Feb. There's not all that much to see once you're there besides tall/modern buildings, a lot of concrete and the Grande Arche. If they want a chilly view, I'd recommend the top of the Tour Montparnasse - 360 degree panorama. I've become...

I visited retired friends on Key West this past Winter. First time there. 2 Cruise Ships landed. My friends are fairly insulated, living on the opposite side of the island. The west side was insanity. 30 minute line to take a photo at the southernmost point buoy?

RT

Brig, Florence can be pretty darned nice in April. Went there in February and the crowds were minimal. No problem with tourist sites or museums. And the Arno is navigable? [wink.gif] Interesting NY Times piece on " over-tourism in Europe " “At the end, this story is just a numbers problem,” Mr. Tour...

dcornutt wrote: ↑
October 19th, 2018, 6:53 pm
This place ROCKS!!!!!

Cheers Don. Glad you enjoyed it too.

RT

My wife and I drink "cheap, everyday" wine pretty much every day....$15 - $35/bottle. There's an ocean of mediocrity in that price range (pretty much every price range, actually) but we've found many dozens of various bottlings to fit the bill over the past decade. They're rarely profound, but often...

National dish of Singapore? The flavors are subtle, except for the hot sauce. Bought some here a few years ago...

RT

Michel...I like your idea....If a day (or 2 day) trip is part of the deal. I just did Gare de Lyon to Barcelona. It's a wasted day each way of 7+ hours....but Paris to Valence is < 2.5 hours. Not much infrastructure at the SNCF Valence station IIRC...but you're < 10 miles from Cornas and other North...

Victor...in February?

RT

Damnit, now everyone's going to go and ruin it. I am planning my February visit as well and this is on my short list of places to go to. Especially on a Sunday. champagne.gif This made me giggle. Paris has a lot of amazing dining options...but my Brother-in-Law, currently living there, isn't a culi...

2015 Julie Balagny Moulin a Vent Mamouth 2016 Yvonn Metras Fleurie Printemps There's something deceptively joyful about the unpretentious Metras Printemps. One of my favs and easy to overlook because of its weight/style. Not sure Julie has picked up his je ne sais quoi...yet. She's still young (IIR...

2017 Jo Landron Muscadet Amphibolite 2007 Domaine de la Pepiere, Muscadet Clos des Briords 2017 Domaine de la Pepiere, Muscadet Clos des Briords 2017 Lucien Crochet Sancerre Rose 2016 Vincent Gamay Oregon 2016 Vincent Gaudry Vincentgetorix Sancerre Rouge 2015 Vincent Bjornson Pinot Noir Oregon 2002 ...

The cellars are always cold. The difference I assume would be that in January or February the outside also would be cold (never been in January or February so have only a limited ability to comment. In January, the cellars almost feel warm compared to outside. You'll want/need layers. The cold seem...

I've rotated a few more 2005s in to the on-deck circle. Hoping that the batting average improves.

RT

Over the years, looking at most restaurant wine lists depresses me....which is not how I want to feel when going out to dinner. My expectations start near rock bottom and a quick scan usually leads me to beer and/or liquor. There are few exceptions and I usually have to know in advance about the lis...

The Sanctus has a shot at improvement IMHO. The La Confession....my better half, much to my surprise, seemed to enjoy it....so I won't categorically rule it out. The Faugeres is already port-like, more so on day 2. I don't see how it makes a comeback. Without any prompting (I wasn't home and hadn't ...

Stayed at the Hotel Saint Paul Rive Gauche in the 6e in January maybe 10 years ago. Still appears to be a good QPR for downtown. Close to lots of options. Relais Christine might be a bit closer (down the hill) rather than near the Jardin Luxembourg.

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Now you tell me.

RT

Just popped the 2005 Faugeres St. Emilion tonight. High toned, acetates not quite nail polish. Quite ripe, sweet jammy and almost pruney. 14.5% alcohol. Maybe this style sells, but I'm not sharing the love.

RT

2005 Chateau La Confession, St. Emilion I'm the wrong guy for this wine. It's ripe (not hot) and comes off sweet. I noticed some pencil/graphite through the dominant dark and blueberry fruit smoothie...but that's about it. Fairly chewy (extraction). The attack starts with a trace of shyness and the...

Less likely to encounter this in February. A good guide can really make the experience.

RT

May try to do Versailles, despite the gardens being mostly closed. Versailles is worthwhile, even the indoors...which can take most of a day. The gardens are fantastic and I'd really recommend touring them in nice weather. Just did a 4+ hour cycling tour and only covered half of the gardens (includ...

February will likely be cold and grey with some rain. Worth it? I love less touristy times of year. You're a Chicagoan aren't you? It won't be that cold. To be central to the action, you probably can't beat recommendations for the 6e and Marais. My Sis lives out near La Defense. Don't stay out there...

Just spent 2 nights in Barcelona with casual Tapas meals. First was Viblioteca in the Gracia district. A bit north of the tourist-iest areas: Carrer Vallfogona 12. Small with a modern décor. The place is run by women with lots of female patrons. Not too many Y chromosomes, even among the guests. Lim...

Bizarre isn't it? Maybe my palate's Parkerizing.

RT

Arv, it depends on expectations. Mine were low and were exceeded. It's tasty, pleasing and assertive. You won't be happy if you're looking for restrained and elegant.

RT

Opened this wine tonight expecting to dislike it. The OWC had been sleeping in the cellar since the futures delivery. The cork split in half, disintegrated and most of the pieces took the plunge. Perhaps the filtering and double decanting was all for the good. There's still a ton of structure and no...

Just picked up a younger 2016 of this from Vinoteca in Barcelona (excellent shop). Looking forward to the exploration. Apparently the grape was widespread prior to Phylloxera. Tiny production now but reportedly increasing.

RT

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