Two weeks ago I had the fabulous Condrieu Coteaux du Vernon 2006 (former post) , so when I heard there's gonna be a tasting of their wines with the winemaker I couldn't say no (And the price was also quite fair) . I wrote a very descriptive tasting notes during the tasting and .... forgot them , so I was only left with my memories and Impressions.
The tasting started with the red wines (Vernay also makes Cote Rotie and a Vin de pays). I would be very surprised , unless I had the Coteaux du Vernon, maybe the richest and fullest bodied white wine I've had. Unlike the Coteaux du Vernon , the red wines of Vernay are in general very elegant , medium bodied reds , with lovely fruit, and not much wood felt (they have very low percentage of new wood). The generic Cote Rotie was very nice and their Cote Rotie Maison Rouge 2005 was really good with a nose of dark red and black fruits, with some pepper . Medium to full bodied, very elegant , smooth with good acidity, and nice aftertaste . (score 93-94) . It didn't had any hint of brett that I found in some Cote Roties before , which I dislike.
After a short Break, we moved to the whites, from Condrieau, that made this winery famous. Another Cuvee from 2006 was quite different from the Coteaux du Vernon, with less pronounced fruit and more minerality, It was also less rich and Viscous. The Condrieu Coteaux du Vernon 2006 was again fantastic , but a liitle less concentrated and rich than the bottle I had 2 weeks ago (Score 94-95 this time) and the 2004 version was quite similar but less intense. Overall a very nice tasting.
BTW ... The winemaker , the daughter of Georges Vernay, spoke french during the tasting , beside her sat a young guy who translated her words and add many other of himself. Later on I found out the this guy was Ya'ir Heido , a guy I heard so much about him for so long I thought he is at least 50 years old (He's less than 40). Besides the wines, It was very interesting to hear the winemaker and Heido talking about the area, the winemaking and their pilosophy.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Last weekend wines
As I wrote a few times before, not a long ago I almost had no white wines in my collection and my only experiences with whites were some Israeli Chard's from Castel & Golan Heights. But during the last year , that has changed. It started with some white Burgundies, mostly from Meursault, Chassagne Montrachet , some Corton Charlemagnes and even Montrachet. Then came the German Rieslings, from Donnhoff, Dr.Loosen, Emrich Shoenleber and more , a few Sauvignon Blanc's from New Zealand and last week a new revelation : Condrieu.
Last friday I've had one of the most interesting and impressive wines I've had lately. It was Georges Vernay , Condrieu Coteaux du Vernon 2006. In the nose it had a stunning aromas of sweet citrus fruits : sweetened oranges, red grapefruits , chinese oranges and more with some peaches and also flowers in the background , In the mouth it was maybe the fullest bodied white , I've ever had, mouth coating, rich with great acidity , some smokey notes and long finish. Stunning . Score - 96-97. We also had a bottle of Trapet, Chapelle Chambertin (Grand Cru) 2004, Ruby coloured, It had a nose of ripe red fruits, earthy notes and very mild bret in the background that didn't interfere much (I don't like it usually). In the mouth medium to full bodied, quite rich, with some chewy tannins , good acidity and medium-long finish. Very nice and not too expensive for a grand cru (I think something between 500-600NIS). Score - 92-93.
On Saturday night , I was invited for an evening with other wine lovers at Barcarola Restaurant. I didn't wrote any notes but 4 bottles were very nice - A bottle of Champagne imported by Eldad Levi (I think it was Larmandier, I'll find out later) that was balanced and tasty, a superb bottle of Chassagne Montrachet , Boudriotte 2002 from Gagnard (Score - 93-94) , Alion 2001- very elegant with dark red fruits, cedar, and earth, medium to full bodied, rich, wonderfully balanced with great aftertaste. Score - 94-95 , Fantastic value. Last was a bottle of Chateau Nairac 2001 (Brought by me). Golden coloured. Nose full of butter, honey , dominant butritis notes with tropical fruits - pinapples, passion fruits and more. In the mouth quite sweet and concentrated , but with good acidity to balance and nice aftertaste. A bit too young. Score - 93-94.
Last friday I've had one of the most interesting and impressive wines I've had lately. It was Georges Vernay , Condrieu Coteaux du Vernon 2006. In the nose it had a stunning aromas of sweet citrus fruits : sweetened oranges, red grapefruits , chinese oranges and more with some peaches and also flowers in the background , In the mouth it was maybe the fullest bodied white , I've ever had, mouth coating, rich with great acidity , some smokey notes and long finish. Stunning . Score - 96-97. We also had a bottle of Trapet, Chapelle Chambertin (Grand Cru) 2004, Ruby coloured, It had a nose of ripe red fruits, earthy notes and very mild bret in the background that didn't interfere much (I don't like it usually). In the mouth medium to full bodied, quite rich, with some chewy tannins , good acidity and medium-long finish. Very nice and not too expensive for a grand cru (I think something between 500-600NIS). Score - 92-93.
On Saturday night , I was invited for an evening with other wine lovers at Barcarola Restaurant. I didn't wrote any notes but 4 bottles were very nice - A bottle of Champagne imported by Eldad Levi (I think it was Larmandier, I'll find out later) that was balanced and tasty, a superb bottle of Chassagne Montrachet , Boudriotte 2002 from Gagnard (Score - 93-94) , Alion 2001- very elegant with dark red fruits, cedar, and earth, medium to full bodied, rich, wonderfully balanced with great aftertaste. Score - 94-95 , Fantastic value. Last was a bottle of Chateau Nairac 2001 (Brought by me). Golden coloured. Nose full of butter, honey , dominant butritis notes with tropical fruits - pinapples, passion fruits and more. In the mouth quite sweet and concentrated , but with good acidity to balance and nice aftertaste. A bit too young. Score - 93-94.
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