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| The Northern Rhone |
Wednesday November 20, 2002 |
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Speaker: Carol Berman, Wine Consultant and Journalist
The demand for Syrah-based red wines from the Northern Rhone has tripled in the past 20 years. Many believe that the Syrah reaches its apogee in the Rhone, especially in the north. These aristocratic wines are long-lived, robust and fairly bursting with flavor. They emphasize finesse and elegance while still retaining depth and power.
Wines are listed in the order of presentation. The 38 attendees was asked to vote for their favorite wine in each flight. Two votes per person in the last flight. Prices listed are retail, full mark-up, in New York City. Notes are a combination of the speaker's and Jonathan Levine's.
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| Flight I: Whites |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Jean- Luc Columbo "Les Figuires" Cotes du Rhone Blanc 1999
Medium golden color. Very aromatic with notes of lemons, melons, pears and spice. Good fresh fruit and a nice finish. This could be described as Chardonnay's exotic and well balanced little cousin. A blend of 70% Viognier and 30% Roussanne. |
5 |
$14.50 |
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J. Vidal-Fleury Crozes Hermitage Blanc 1998
A blend of 70% Marsanne and 30% Roussanne. A lovely wine with herbal and green tea aromas. Intense palate -- one tastes musk melon and spice. |
9 |
$16.00 |
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Domaine Gilles Barge Condrieu 1999
Very aromatic wine from 100% Viognier. Peach, lime zest and honeysuckle. Totally integrated with great clarity of flavor. Low acidity, so drink early.
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24 |
$68.50 |
| Flight II: Cotes du Rhone |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Georges Duboeuf Cotes du Rhone 2001
TNotes of ripe cherries. Not much finesse. A simple, pleasant quaffing wine with a soft quality. |
4 |
$9.00 |
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Juan Lionnet Cotes du Rhone "Cepage Syrah" 2000
Best Buy in the event. A stunning wine that is easily worth twice its price. Lovely sexy aroma. There is depth, balance, concentration, intensity and oodles of flavor. From the Cornas area, it is 100% Syrah, and my second favorite of the event.
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32 |
$15.00 |
| Flight III: St. Joseph |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Nicolas St. Joseph 1999
Aromas of sweet and dark fruit such as currants, plums and blackberries. Spicy and high in tannin, but probably will not age well. |
7 |
$15.50 |
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Domain Gilles Barge St. Joseph "Clos Martinet" 2000
A very complex wine with bright fruit. 100% Syrah with a pungent floral bouquet and a long finish.
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20
(11 ab- stain) |
$31.00 |
| Flight IV: Crozes Hermitage and Cornas |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Delas Crozes Hermitage "Les Launes" 2000
Rustic and warming wine with good intensity. Loaded with fruit and charm. Not as complex as some others, but a lovely quaff. |
10 |
$17.00 |
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Domaine Pradelle Crozes Hermitage "Hirondelles" 1998
From 50 year old vines. Notes of cedar, earth and cherries. 100% Syrah; complex and approachable. Quite concentrated. |
16 |
$22.00 |
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Domaine de Rochepertuis Cornas 1999
The group liked this better than I did. Another 100% Syrah with notes of dried fruits and earth. The Cornas region is very hot and this wine possesses a typical burnt quality, reflective of the terroir. Big and gutsy, it will age very well.
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13 |
$35.00 |
| Flight V: Cote Rotie and Hermitage |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
J. Vidal-Fleury Cote Rotie 1998
One bottle was lovely, one was corked so the wine may have received fewer votes than it deserved. Aromas of exotic Chinese spices and perfume. The wine shows good length. Soft and spicy with notes of tobacco and berries. 85% Syrah and 15% Viognier. |
11 |
$41.00 |
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Paul Jaboulet Cote Rotie "Les Jumelles" 1997
The wine is showing the fact that it is one or two years older than the others in the flight. A tea-like aroma combines with sweet cherries in the nose. A more mellow wine that is drinking well, but will not age very well. |
10 |
$73.00 |
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Domine Andre Francois Cote Rotie 1999
My favorite of the event. A most elegant wine that might be mistaken for a Burgundy in a blind tasting. Still closed in. Subtle and rich, well integrated and youthful. 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier. |
18 |
$52.00 |
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Chapoutier Cote Rotie "Les Becasses" 1999
100% Syrah from 30 year old vines. Still closed in. A big and rustic wine loaded with flavor and depth. Notes of mocha and coffee in the mouth. |
10 |
$86.00 |
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Delas Hermitage "Marquise de la Tourette" 1999
A glorious wine, my second favorite of the flight and third of the event. Coconut to the nose. A wine with perfect balance and great definition. Good acidity and finish.
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25 |
$65.00 |
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