Great evening with the crew: NYC - Nov 19th - ‘North vs South’ a Rhone ‘half-blind’ bottle share - Event Planner - Online or Offline - WineBerserkers
The goal was to re-examine assumptions and preferences about north and south Rhone. In the end, the north won handedly (long live the union), but more importantly, the goal was achieved.
Real work was done here!
We tasted everything blind.
Ranked them.
Then tasted everything again.
Finally, David, David, (Jake partially), and I - took one for the team and retasted everything to see what really opened up vs died over the whole evening.
All the thanks!
@Joseph_Grassa bring the extras and the head scratching
@J0hnEhrl1ng with the competition
@PeterB helping uncomplicate my plan
@Sam_Kwak deciding we actually were cool enough to attend
Julie with the care, David’s with the heat and time warp, new Gavin with the engagement and Jake completing a redemption arc.
Just stupendous all around! Will update with notes over the weekend, but hope others chime in!
The Whites
Usually not a fan of White Rhone, I struggle to find examples that balance the unique texture with normal flavor notes, but loved this! First of this producer and need to explore much more.
“minerals garrigue galore” is ringing true; there is a wonderful balance between the traditional fruit notes (apricot and orange) and the herbal mineral force of this wine. Some orange rind as well.
No rush at all. Would love more recs here.
Didn’t take a note. Solid juice. No one was in the Clape ballpark on this one, so great job, Jake, on the sneaker!
The Elder Statesmen
@Joseph_Grassa, modeling for us, has the best note here. For me, this was everything you want in a mature wine. Light in color. More transparent than not. Nose is so compelling - bramble, and caramel, strawberry, and black fruit and candy. Cedar box and pot porri. Some fruit still in the mouth and satisfying finish. I hope I do as well!
Initially, was very mature presenting on nose and thin in the mouth. Thought we had a disappointment (especially me as I brought back from winery) Later that evening - No more! Opened at 5:30pm, and around 11:30 came alive for Davids, Jake, and I. Figgy pudding, cooked black fig, Christmas oatmeal cookie, dark cherry, orange (in background). It’s light, but also striking. No slouch. This had bad phase, but now it’s incredible. The bad phase was a little woody and thin in the center. But, wowza that passed. Was afraid the air would kill this, but I was wrong. No rush on these.
Very tight. Concentrated. Coffee. Sweet, but not naive.
The North
Rotie
J0hn and I like to play for wotn so was looking forward to his. Also, he’s a tricky bugger. First time with this producer. Was impressed. Berry and fat. More fruit than not fruit in mouth. Smooth texture. Good acidity. Mid length. First 3 hours were awesome. When the David’s and I did our final revists, it had fallen off. Will look to explore more
Double decanted for 2 hours prior. Nose has some delicious barnyard notes. The tannins are in a lovely place now. NOT A FRUIT BOMB, but a real wine. Lasted a long time. Excellent.
Wonderful bretty note with red fruit and tart blackberry. Mouth is not quite as good has a touch of astringent oak. Holds it back from excellence. Could that fade out? Maybe, think it would take at least 3 years to see.
St. Joseph
Blue fruit and blood and iron. So recognizable. Tannins have grip, got a little dusty with air. So good young.
Hermitage
Incredible nose. Everything you could want. Oak notes and flowers and bbq and hedonistic everything that I love. Silky smooth mouth, but also lively. Spiced, but not over-powered. Finish is long, but it’s self-assured.
Fade to transparent caramel sauce color. Nose is strong multifarious. The oak is a touch too strong. Taste is fresh and cooked red fruit - blackberry fresh from roadside that fade to prune. Tannins are slightly long. Acid brings balance. It has an ovular shape.When you exhale you are pleased and the smell of berry brush lingers in your memory. This finish is really world class.
Not bad now, but also not integrated. Think this has the potential to be incredible. Right now, Blue fruit in a ripe place, some chocolate notes, and…the rest of my note is missing - bother.
Cornas
More cherry fruit notes. Little bit of roughness on the end. Heavier in the body. It lacks finesse and is a little clunky in the mouth. That holds it back from being excellent. Hold and see if these smooth out.
The South
Cht. Pape
Not pictured - 2001 Beaucastel Corked 
Perfect shape. Consistent. Excellent. This was go from the pop and weirdly did not evolve much with air. Mouth is a little Robitussin and red fruit. Touch hot on end.
Nose has beautiful elevated mushroom notes, fall leaves, violets, tomato vine. You have to pay attention to it. Would not do well in a 100 bottle line up, but with reflection it has understated elegance and depth.
Front of taste has red fruit. Spicy strawberry. Finish is short and confused. Maybe will open up? Tannins leave your mouth with buzz.
Solid CdP. Lacks some complexity, but great for what it is. Smells like wonderful grenache bright fruit and also some cinsault and syrah wideness and roundness. Mid-palate is its strength.
No note
no note
Don’t think this is on the way. More middle of the road CdP for the average joe. For 25 euro, this is good value play. Cherry/fruit jam. Grenache flavors are there, but a touch murky in their presentation
Best with 4-6 hours of air. Demands cheese (me or the wine? I think both), but can stand on it’s own. Dusty chocolate nose, sea salt, beautiful dried CdP fruit. Tannins are integrated. Alive. “maybe a little too bright for eventual greatness?” Perhaps.
Nose is pumpkin seed and nail polish. Mouth follow with blight bright fruit. Too much VA. Clearly flawed.
Excellent. Double decanted for 2 hours. Great for first 5 hours, then fell off. Red and black fruit + herbs, which turn to Coca cola and birch bark.
I’ve had 3 this fall. It’s very good qpr ($15 nyc), which is both highlighted and lost in a line-up like tonight’s.
The head fakes
no note. Was Yum!
Foul slop. Fun Troll blind. Same price as Pegau Maclura as a fun accidental counterpoint.
My thoughts on this wine are well captured here: Double Lucky #8 (2020) - No Girls - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers
.