ROSES AND VOSNE 1ERS AT CUTLERY OPTIONAL - (23/4/2025)
Keralan menu at Cutlery Optional, always a pleasure at this home dining to taste real Indian food made with top quality ingredients.
- Plaintain Chips, Paniyaram & Coriander Chutney, Kerala Fried Chicken
- Coconut Toddy Thosai, Pork Belly Fry, Chamanthi Chutney
- Kerala Tiger Prawn Biryani, King Mackerel Fish Curry, Angus Beef Short Ribs Curry, Mix Vegetable Thoran, Theeyal / Kootu, Pappadom
- Mango Ice Cream with Fresh Coconut Toddy
Theme was Vosne 1ers, liked the wines with the most Vosne typicity the best (Meo, Saban, Guyon, and Clavelier).
- NV Savart Champagne Premier Cru Bulle de Rosé Extra Brut - France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru
Forgot to take a picture of the back label but disgorged in 2022 I believe. Consistent with my previous experience, a fresh and delicate rose with pretty red strawberry fruit. Texturally very elegant. (93 pts.) - 2008 Gosset Champagne Celebris Rosé - France, Champagne
Puzzled by the high scores and price. Run-of-the-mill house champagne with a strawberries and cream vibe. Didn’t stand out other than a curiously savoury seasalt note. (91 pts.) - 2012 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Chaumes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Dark spice with some mocha notes on the nose, surprisingly airy and accessible for a Meo. Drink now. (93 pts.) - 2005 Michel Saban Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Gaudichots - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
My only previous experience with Gaudichots was with Forey which was much more masculine and dark-fruited, but this bottling (probably from Machard de Gramont’s holdings) was much more elegant and refined. Sensual red fruit without being as lifted as the best makers, but terrific depth. WOTN for most, including myself. (94 pts.) - 2017 J. Confuron-Cotetidot Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Very masculine with extracted dark fruit, felt more like 2018 as it didn’t have the light touch of '17s. Unrefined tannins. Guessed the maker because I scrolled through the list of Suchots makers and found the most masculine one. (88 pts.) - 2022 Pierre Girardin Vosne-Romanée Les Damaudes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée
New-school with candied sweet fruit, was both natural leaning and had overbearing oak notes. Reminded me of the PYCM Vosne that I tried before, an over-made wine. (84 pts.) - 2013 Jean-Pierre Guyon Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Brulées - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Made in the old-school style before the transition. Lightly spiced dark cherry fruit with elevated acidity, a quintessential Vosne that was elegant and sensual. Guessed '11 H-N Beaumonts. (93 pts.) - 2021 René Cacheux et Fils Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Quite structured with darker fruit from a warmer vintage, so was surprised that this was a '21. Guessed '20 Berthaut-Gerbet Petits Monts. Needs more time. (90 pts.) - 2014 Domaine Bruno Clavelier Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Brûlées Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Took some time to get going as it was a little disjointed on opening with the acidity sticking out from the ripe fruit, so served this last. Much better after a couple of hours as the Vosne characteristics of spice and silk emerged. Last glass at home was the best with lifted, balanced fruit. (93 pts.) - 2005 Weingut Reinhold Haart Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Kabinett - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
My extra. Better than the '04 Auslese earlier this month. Ripe green apple fruit, warm vintage helped to give some heft to this Kabinett. Had the right amount of sweetness without being ponderous. Perfect match with Indian food. (92 pts.)
- 2012 Jean-Claude Bessin Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru (26/4/2025)
Started off quite broad and flabby with a waxy texture, but gained more Chablisien characteristics with air. Last glass had the most citrus fruit and sea breeze notes. (91 pts.) - 2022 Comando G Rozas - Spain, Madrid, Vinos de Madrid (26/4/2025)
Back to regular programming for Comando G after a superb 2021 Rozas 1er Cru last month which was my only good bottle so far. A mess of a wine with brett and unripe stems with a distracting jalapeno note, combined with overripe cherry fruit without delineation. (80 pts.)
