WIMPS N RHONE LUNCH - The Ledbury, London (6/30/2009)
Another super well organized event at The Ledbury on a very hot day in London. Great food service, flawless wine service and Brett really delivered with the food, even making Kidneys taste delicious. We did really well with the wines as only one flawed bottle at our table and a really nice mix of classic rhones mixed in with some younger fresher bottles. I really enjoyed this event
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2003 André Perret St. Joseph Blanc - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph
yellow color, a somewhat pungent citrus nose to it, i think some would call it “cat piss” but i have no first hand knowledge…it was served very cold and was crisp and clean. as it warmed up it was more ripe honeydew melon and a bit fat. also got a bit of ainise and saffron on the mouth, intriguing wine (89 pts.)
Roast Breast of Quail with Sweetcorn and Girolles
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2001 Thierry Allemand Cornas Reynard - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas
Dark purple color, very young looking. dark smokey fruits on the nose.this was all young vibrant smokey blackberries. primary. best bottle i have had of this yet. lovely smokey edge to it. med weight, long finish, well balanced,really gave the ogier a run for its money (91 pts.) -
1999 Michel & Stéphane Ogier Côte-Rôtie - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Deep dark color, horsey black fruit nose. in the mouth it is a bit bretty but not in a bad way, just horse, saddle leather. high notes from black fruit. i found it to be an interesting wine as it went in well and had a good long finish but seemed to lack something in the middle. i let it sit for a while and it did fill out. good glass of wine, would like to try again in a few years and see where its going (92 pts.)
Calves Kidney Cooked in Smoked Kidney Fat with Grilled Onions, Bacon & Sweet Sherry
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1999 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Côte-Rôtie Les Jumelles - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
lightest colored wine of the flight. on the nose this had the smell of raw meat. this wine showed more savory and truffle/mushroomy flavors then anything else so a bit more developed than i would have thought. not a very long finish (89 pts.) -
2000 Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie La Landonne - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
dark purple clear wine. great youthful nose of black fruits, violets. was bte best nose of the flight with ease. in the mouth this was also the youngest seeming of the 3 wines in this flight showing sweet fruits, flowers, a touch of smoke but very much in the background. this wine seemed delicate but was very pure, clean and long. punched above the vintage and i thought well above its flightmates. i think this will be a lovely wine in 5+ years (94 pts.) -
1998 Jean-Michel Gerin Côte-Rôtie La Landonne - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
it was very nice to have this next to the Rostaing La Landonne. this wine was a lighter purple with the rim lightening up. there was lovely bretty smokey quality to this wine when first poured and it had the secondary tastes of an older rhone, almost a bit sweaty. but as it sat in the glass it rounded out and became fuller. it was a drink i enjoyed today but to lay down i think i would bet on the Rostaing (92 pts.)
Slow Roasted Fillet of Beef with Baked Potatoes Rossini and a puree of Summer Truffles
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1997 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
slightly lightening up color was, nose is a nice mix of dark red cherries and some earthiness. this wine has a great velvety soft leather feel in the mouth with a medium weight sweet fruit taste. long finish. this wine shows some evolvement but has years and years to go (93 pts.) -
1995 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Dark color with a nice sheen. forest floor nose with dark fruits. in the mouth this was quite vibrant and strong. a fantastic mix of leather, cherries, smokey meats, really rhoney. this wine really wants to wake you up. best jaboulet i have had in awhile. very long, very full and the tannins are still all there in a very good grippy way. this wine has a long life ahead of it. best wine of the day so far (94 pts.) -
1991 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Lightening around the edges. nose started off with a bit of earthiness, then moved into a fantastic dark fruit with spices. this wine was great to swirl around in the mouth as it was rich robust, showing bacon, smoke, dark fruits. really good balanced acidity and length. this wine was in a very good spot right now. i would happily drink a few more bottles of these (93 pts.) -
1988 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
well finally a bad bottle. some floral and violet competing with a musty smell for nose space. flat and fruitless in the mouth, short clipped finish. oh well NR (flawed) -
1999 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Dark purple color. a meaty smokey nose with dark red fruits trying to come through. also some oak still on the nose. this is a big mouthful of wine. dark red and black fruits, wrapped in bacon and slow roasted. yum yum yum. very well balanced, very long. a delicious young rhone which is barely on the upswing. it will be a good one in the years to come (94 pts.)
Raspberry Souffle with White Chocolate and Elderflower Ice Cream
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1989 Château Doisy-Védrines - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac
First bottl from the case. Golden brown color, apricot marmalade with a touch of lemon and vanilla in the nose and mouth. really nice sweet but not cloying, good balance as there is still a touch of acidity and freshness there, drinks great now, really in a good spot (92 pts.)
There was a late entry red (thank you keith) but i am not sure what it was and didnt take a note, eventhough it was lovely
It came down to the heavyweights again. The Ogier was very good, the Allemand was nice, the Rostaing promising but at the end of the dy it was really Jaboulet “La Chapelle” and Chave for me and where i think these Chaves will eventually outperform the La Chapelles today i think the 1995 La Chapelle was WOTD
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