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1994 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (10/21/2009)
With Niels at Union Square Cafe. I brought this wine. Judging from the label, capsule and cork I suspect this is a library release from Mont-Olivet? Medium red color. Awesome nose of mature Grenache: lavender, black olives, coffee, spices and dark cherry fruit. The fruit is suprisingly vibrant and fresh. Medium bodied, great flow on the palate with sous-bois flavors and cherry fruit. Niels guessed 1998! One of great benefits of blind tastings is that you remove the vintage bias. Lovely wine that is at peak. 1994 is a great year in CdP for current consumption. -
1998 Les Cailloux (Lucien et André Brunel) Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (10/21/2009)
With Niels at Union Square Cafe. Niels brought this bottle. Wow, an absolutely stunning bottle of wine and one of the best CdPs I have drunk in a while. Dark red color. No signs of age. Aromas of sweet cherries and raspberry soaring from the glass. Ah, this is pure Grenache. Abundant fruit, kirsch, lavender and white pepper on the palate. Excellent concentration in combination with focus and poise. While this wine will surely last another 10 years, it drinks beautifully now. A great surprise. While the Clape was intelectually more interesting, this was my wine of the night. -
1999 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas (10/21/2009)
With Niels at Union Square Cafe. Niels brought this wine. Dark purple. Incredibly young wine. Very tight upon opening. I had a very difficult time placing it. With air, aromas of animal fur, leather and dried, dark berries. Surprisingly smooth, yet with a tannic structure that is still very serious. Flavors of smoke/tobacco and earth/minerals on the palate. Traditionally made wine, no gimmics here. Needs more time in the cellar to develop that rustic, rugged profile I love in mature Cornas from Clape. Outstanding wine. Hold off for 3+ years. -
2000 Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru (10/21/2009)
With Niels at Union Square Cafe. I brought this wine. Medium golden. Smells slightly oxidized, but not in a bad way. Honeyed, nutty notes with a hint of citrus. The fruit is fresh and lively and there is a very nice stony minerality on the palate. Certainly Chablis in a more manly fashion. Liquid honey, nuts and orange peel take the front stage on the palate with lemon/sea shells in the back. We drank this wine over 4 hours and it firmed up considerably with air. A great, terroir driven wine. -
2006 Jean Collet Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru (10/21/2009)
With Niels at Union Square Cafe. A fairly simple, cleanly made Chablis. Obviously young and not showing its full potential yet. Good, fresh acidity and some green fruit and lemon but hard to get excited since the Defaix was so much better.
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