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+--- Thread: 1998 Domaine le Couroulu Vacqueyras (/thread-11750.html)
- RAD - 04-21-2001
Doing a bit of experimenting lately, without much success.
Clear deep magenta, with rose-colored edges. Somewhat floral and fairly fragrant rhone-like nose with a touch of white pepper and some tar. Fairly harsh on the palate, with some hidden fruit enveloped in bitterness. Perhaps better with food, but don't know if I'm willing to try. 60% grenache, 30% syrah, and 10% mourvedre.
Found this in a local shop for around $10, and I figured "1998 Rhone--give it a shot." I'll keep looking. WS gives it a 76 (which I later found out); they're not far off-base with this one.
RAD
- ddf68 - 04-23-2001
I had a similar experience with the '97 vintage of this wine--rather hard edged and unpleasant. I was going to try the '98 if I saw it. Thanks for saving me the trouble.
ddf
[This message has been edited by ddf68 (edited 04-23-2001).]
- Scoop - 04-23-2001
I have to take issue with the assessment of the 1997: it was certainly big, and needed air, but it had a lot of depth, in a classic Rhone package. Not everyone likes a big meaty Vacqueras, but there was nothing "wrong" with that particular vintage.
As for the 1998, I'll try it soon. Sometimes it is hard to live with prosperity: perhaps 1998 was too big a vintage for the winemaker there to deal with, leading to a clunky wine. Or, like many wines in that vintage (including a number of CNPs), it needs some bottle time to mellow.
Cheers,
Scoop
- Thomas - 04-23-2001
Scoop, I knew you would be there when I needed you. But I must confess, at a Rhone tasting a few weeks ago I decided that the 98 vintage is over-rated; I decided that after tasting the 99 vintage wines.
- RAD - 04-23-2001
Foodie, is that to say those of us that have largely missed out on the 1998s have another shot next year? Let's hope so.
Scoop, I'd be interested in your thoughts on this particular wine. I can appreciate rustic and meaty, but this one just didn't cut the Dijon, IMHO.
RAD
[This message has been edited by RAD (edited 04-23-2001).]
- Scoop - 04-24-2001
Will do, RAD.
Also, I was in the southern Rhone at harvest time in 1999, and it was glorious (and the vintners very optimistic). It may not be the blockbuster that 1998 was, but there's perhaps with more nuance and elegance in the 1999s.
In any case, we'll be putting it to the test!
Cheers,
Scoop
- barnesy - 04-24-2001
I've had several of the CDR from 98 and my shop is getting several CDR and CDRV for 99. The 99's have been quite enjoyable and a bit more subtle than the 98's.
Barnesy
- ddf68 - 04-24-2001
I don't have anything against '97 as a vintage. I just didn't like that particular wine. I didn't see much potential for it to improve with aeration, but then I have been mistaken before.
ddf
- Scoop - 04-24-2001
Perhaps it was a bad bottle; it certainly happens.
Scoop
- Scoop - 05-10-2001
Finally popped the 1998, and I pretty much agree with RAD's assessment: it's got some harsh tannins and a somewhat bitter finish, without much compensating fruit. Some bottle time might help, but the 1998 pales before the 1997 version, which I thought was very good, especially for the price.
Given what I've seen of the 1999 Rhones, I'll certainly give this producer another shot.
Cheers,
Scoop
- RAD - 05-17-2001
Glad to have a second opinion, Scoop, and find out that my tasters aren't completely useless. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]
RAD