If I recall the tasting well, and looking at pictures (see picture of flight 2): yes the wines were more on the extracted (and dark) spectrum. Oak probably as well. Oxidation none whatsoever.
On the aging: I meant to say that they could be aged further, not necessarily that they needed further age to be pleasant to drink.
2013 Roilette (Coudert) Cuvee Tardive was fabulous last night.
I comparison to the 2020 I had recently it was much more mature and serious, but the 2020 showed maybe more potential. This bottle was definitly in perfect condition, but I just can’t believe how well these wines age.
It has been triple digits temperatures locally, so my usual husky reds have been sidelined in favor of lighter varietals, which led to the 2021 Lucien Lardy ‘Les Roches’ [Fleurie] being opened on the young side. It’s 13% abv and closed with a short agglomerated cork. The grapes come from a plot of 60 year old vines on granite. I find it to have an earthy, structured, relatively tannic feel with thyme and nori on the nose. This savory gamay doesn’t have a commercial/popular vibe. Perhaps it would appeal to WB more than the mass market, but it’s not in my wheelhouse. I don’t pay much attention to vintages in this region, but perhaps classic cool years are not for me. Overall, a B on my card.
His wines tend to be really rustic and sometimes a little rough in their youth, but I really like them with several years of age on them (but I haven’t tried the 2021). But I agree they’re not for everyone.
2011 Roilette Griffe du Marquis. A strong herbal streak and a little burnt rubber showed at first, both of which eased with air. A decant probably would have helped. Cherries and dark berries followed, with licorice in the background. At this point I think I prefer the 2011 Tardive, but this was still a great wine and I loved it, even if not everyone at the table felt the same. The Griffe still carries a bit of extra weight. At 14 years, the baby fat is gone and it’s now showing more of a middle-aged spread. I think it will benefit from more time.
Over a couple of nights the 2023 Chateau de Pizay [Regnie] is a delight! This is a large established producer more known for their Morgon AOC bottlings (3 of them) but their smaller vineyard in the newest cru is worth looking out for. Today this light bodied 14% abv gamay shows buoyant raspberry fruit, floral aromas with a bit of burnt sugar too. Pizay’s 12 acres in this village are south facing, over pink granite, with 50 year old vines – and the end result is wonderfully fresh and fruity. I have not tried this producer before, but they are regarded as a large production, commercially oriented house, yet the wine is a nice surprise. I’d give this ripe Regnie an A- to A rating for my simple tastes in this region, but Decanter gave it high praise too, likely leading to why it was imported. Closed under DIAM5
Small anecdote: the Belgian importer does not (did not?) carry the griffe as he found it too oaky and preferred the cuvee tardive.
09 Bouland Chiroubles, lovely.
2009 Beaujolais is in such a wonderful place right now.
… We must be on the same brain wave … The regular Morgon 2023 was young, brash and fruity this afternoon
