A Tasting of 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape (2/4/10)

Meeting of 95/95 in Yountville. Wines were tasted blind with corks pulled 9 hours prior to pouring. I felt guilty as these wines were way too young and some slightly awkward. Overall quality was high.

Domaine Grand Veneur 'Les Origines'

Overview: 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Mouvedre. 18 months in new oak casks.

Notes: Bright cherry/blueberry and chalk dust nose, silky tight tannins that grow on the palate, nice length with herbal/menthol notes, graphite. Nice acid. Distinctive. One of my favorites of the tasting.


Pierre Usseglio 'Cuvee De Mon Aieul'

Overview: A blend of 3 specific terroirs (Serres, Bedine, La Crau). 100% Grenache.

Notes: Closed on the nose with just a hint of barnyard and fat, not much fruit. Nose evolved into a sweet cinnamon flavor. On the palate, round and rich. Evolved quite nicely after a couple hours in the glass into thick rich fruits and relaxed tannins. One of my least favorites straight out of the bottle, but definitely grew on me as the wine opened up. Quite nice.


La Cote De L'Ange 'Vielles Vignes'

Overview: 100% Grenache, 80yr old vines average.

Notes: Smokey and thick, slightly angular, round red fruits (prunes). After a while in the glass lavender perfume notes become apparent, tight tannins, just a hint of VA.


Clos Saint-Jean 'Vielles Vignes'

Overview: Situated in La Crau, 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 4% Mourvedre, 3% Cinsault, 2% Vaccarese and 1% Muscardin. Grenache tank aged but the other red varieties are aged in new or one-year-old barrels for about 12 months.

Notes: Nice nose with fruits rising to the top, plush, fine tannins, rich and velvety red fruits. Classic CdP. After a while in glass VA became quite noticeable.


Roger Sabon 'Prestige'

Overview: Produced from vines that average 90 years in age. Blend of 60% grenache, 15% syrah, 10% mouvdre. 65% aged in foudres, rest in new oak.

Notes: Earth and bacon fat on the nose, layered red fruits on the palate. Quite fruity with stony undertones. Slightly unbalanced out of the bottle. Evolved into dark thick plush fruit and integrated tannins that really coated the palate, very enjoyable.


La Vieux Donjon

Overview: 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault. Aged for 6 months in cement tank and then about 12 months in foudres.

Notes: Meaty nose, richly fruited and super ripe on the palate. Soft with good acid. After a while menthol notes became apparent, fruits became muddled.


Bonus!

Quetsche D'Alsace Eaux de vie

Overview: Ancient bottle of plum brandy, faded/torn label, quarter fill, dry cork, 90 proof

Notes: Looked like lemon juice in the glass, hazy with a yellow tinge. Nose of citrus and liniment. Slightly aggressive on the palate with lemon and grapefruit notes. Interesting, though not quite to my palate, probably much better after a large meal.

Cobb Tasting at Jardiniere (01/31/10)

Wonderful tasting at Jardiniere with Ross and David Cobb. Would have liked to taste the other 2007 SKUs that were released previously.

2007 'Jack Hill'

Overview: 2 acres overlooking Freestone Valley near Occidental. Soils are sandy loam, clones are a mix of Dijon 667, 115, 828, west facing slope.

Notes: Beautiful black cherry and white pepper, great acid, purity, supple tannins with hints of licorice. Coming back after tasting the other wines Jack Hill showed a little darker and earthier with a little more cola, perhaps a hint of heat on the palate. Alcohol 13.8, 240 cs.

2007 'Emmaline'

Overview: Emmaline vineyard is near Sebastopol with heavy ocean influences. Two Dijon varieties planted in Goldridge loam. Yield approx 2 tons/acre.

Notes: Meatier (tuna tartare), slightly darker than Jack Hill. Rounder fruits, not as expressive. Damp earth, plums, peppery cherry cola and rose petals. Started out closed, but evolved nicely in the glass, noticeable oak notes. Alcohol 13.0, 310 cs.


2007 Coastlands Vineyard 'Diane'

Overview: Originally planted in 1989 with 20 relatively unknown clones and doubled in 1996 with a single variety. 1.5 acres

Notes: Quite reserved on the nose with notes of cedar and black cherry. Slightly smokey and meaty (pork fat). Light fruits, ripping acidity, lean tight tannins, licorice and citrus (blood orange), rose perfume, creamy finish. Impossible beautiful and supple. The pinnacle of American Pinot production. Alcohol 13.4, 90cs.