On my 40th birthday trip to France last year with @Otto_Forsberg and two other friends we bought some nice bottles together to open later and reminisce a bit. One such bottle was the 2001 Marc Sorrel Hermitage Le Gréal and as a year and a half has passed we decided it was time to start the reminiscing. We chose to open two rarities from the retired Cornas legend Robert Michel to make the evening a bit more special stil. The Geynale had been a more recent purchase but the Cuvée des Coteaux had been in my cellar somewhat longer. A testament to that is the price I had paid for it, 23 Euros. To round things out we picked the 1995 (never forget, the year of Finland’s first ice hockey world championship) Blanc des Millenaires for aperitif and scallops, Sorrel’s 2017 white Crozes for cheeses, charcuterie and terrine de campagne, and Christoffel Jr’s 2010 Auslese for crème brûlée.
While all three reds had a very good provenance I was still very positively surprised when all corks had done their job admirably and the wines were in terrific condition. The stylistic difference between the Hermitage and two Cornas was massive, not a big surprise. The latter two were clearly relatives but the difference in ripeness and intensity was a big one. I enjoyed all three immensely and was happy that there was again only four of us and we could follow the development over the dinner. In the end I felt a bit sentimental as it is likely that I will not drink a Michel Cornas again.
Some coppa ham, saucisson tradition, fourme d’ambert, brillat-savarin and tomme tressée, plus homemade bread courtesy or our host.
For mains we had an appropriate 500g of bavette per person and just way too much of aligot (mash potato recipe from Auvergne with a ridiculous amount of Cantal cheese).
Overall another epic session with the boys, finished up by listening to a wide variety of music coming out of our HiFi-loving host’s stupendous setup. 9,5 hours of quality time, doesn’t feel at all wrong with life being rather hectic currently between work and small children. Cheers!
- 1995 Charles Heidsieck Champagne Blanc des Millénaires - France, Champagne (13.9.2026)
A very toasty and well matured, extremely expressive nose of great depth. Markedly honeyed with notes of ripe apple, torrefaction, leesy yeastiness, bread dough, butter and smoke. A lot going on but very vibrant too. On the palate it still has good effervescence. Rich and hedonistic but elegant and very spry too. Intense flavors, good length. Not sure if there is more upside at this point but it remains extremely enjoyable and uplifting. - 2001 Marc Sorrel Hermitage Le Gréal - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage (13.9.2026)
A mix of intense ripe blackberry fruit and olives on the nose. The fruit dominates early on, only after several hours the meaty and animalistic characteristics begin to break through. On the palate rich and muscular with good tannic structure. Surprisingly ripe fruited and a bit heady even still, youthful for a 25-year old without doubt. YMMV, for my palate this still tastes very young. Peaking in ten perhaps? There is a sense of greatness to this but the alcohol feels a bit elevated. At this moment the 2006 Robert Michel La Geynale was clearly the more enjoyable wine. - 2005 Robert Michel Cornas Cuvée des Coteaux - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas (13.9.2026)
On the nose markedly feral with ripe yet thoroughly savory blackberry fruit, black pepper and minerally tones. On the palate it is wonderfully fresh and vibrant at this relatively mature age. There is a very good tannic structure but overall balance is really stellar. CT notes had me expecting something older but this doesn’t taste old at all, perhaps a testament to the bottle not having travelled much. A super classic Cornas at a great phase, reminiscent of mature Cuchet-Beliando. Was totally ready to go right off the bat but didn’t decline over the dinner. - 2006 Robert Michel Cornas La Geynale - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas (13.9.2026)
A glorious nose of ripe dark berries, wet leaves, a huge dollop of granite and smoked beef. Hugely expressive and complex. On the palate this is similarly a powerhouse that is firing on all cylinders and thoroughly captivating. The flavor intensity is through the roof and the structure is not far behind. There is ripeness to this but it also has all the characteristics of a textbook Northern Rhône Syrah with a certain wild side to it. Such a presence and energy, top shelf. Only got better over the evening, the last sip was easily the best. - 2010 Jos. Christoffel Jr. (Christoffel-Prüm) Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (13.9.2026)
A totally ethereal and serene nose of white peach, pineapple, whipped cream and a tiniest hint of petrol. Swarms from the glass, highly expressive. On the palate this is plenty rich and voluminous but as is often the case the combination of high acidity and low alcohol result in a wine that is extremely enjoyable and drinkable. Overall balance is nice - there is enough sweetness to stand up to crème brûlée but also it manages to freshen up the palate at the same time. Not primary - the fruit is showing signs of maturing - but seems to be clearly on the way up. - 2017 Marc Sorrel Crozes-Hermitage Blanc - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage (13.9.2026)
A crystalline and floral nose with notes of hard lemon candy, apricot, almond paste, nail polish and faint herbal notes. On the palate airy and light on its feet with a restrained fruit expression. There is some power and warmth here but overall balance is very good. Aromatic intensity leaves a little something to be desired but at the table this performs very well.
Posted from CellarTracker