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+--- Thread: Discover France evening in Atlanta (/thread-2580.html)
- dananne - 07-23-2006
About 100 different wines from France were poured at this benefit for Angel Flight of Georgia, and it was organized by Atlanta Wine School, though there was little education going on. In fact, many of the folks pouring had no idea what it was in their hands, leading to conversations like this:
"So, what is this one?"
"A Champagne."
"I know, but could you tell me anything about it?"
"Well, lets see . . . it says Perrier-Jouet here. Sorry, nothing else."
At any rate, at least most of the folks were nice, and people-watching was a blast, provided you weren't knocked over by collagen implants.
I forgot to bring my little notebook, so I had to scribble notes on whatever was handy using whatever I could lay hands on, and sometimes well after the fact, so I'll just lump things into three categories: We Liked It, Nothing to Write Home About, and Not Good.
We Liked It:
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rose
Perrier-Jouet Brut
2003 Dom. du Vieux Lazaret CdP (rouge)
2004 Renaud Pouilly Fuisse, Vielle Vignes
2001 Dom. Magellan les Collines, Cotes de Thongue
2004 P. Rion Gevrey-Chambertin "Clos Prieur"
Nothing to Write Home About:
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut
2001 Chateau Greysac
2002 Louis Bernard CdP Blanc
2003 Rostaing Coteaux du Languedoc "Puech"
2001 Chateau Larose Trintaudon
Not Good:
1996 Chateau Lagrange
2003 Ey Granache Vigne Colles
2003 Laborie Roi Mersault Rouge and Maximum
2004 Gala Rouge Pinot Noir
2004 Michel Picard Bourgogne PN
2002 Schleret Muscat d'Alsace
Our Favorites of the Tasting:
2005 Domaine Houchart Provence Rose -- Beautiful strawberry and raspberry fruit with minerals in a delicate style. Wonderful, and runs all of $9.
2004 Domaine du Vieux Lazaret CdP Blanc -- Why don't we see more CdP Blanc? This kitchen sink blend has Grenache Blanc (50%), Clairette (25%), Bourboulenc (20%) and Roussanne (5%). No oak. Offers an expressive nose of honeyed peaches and citrus with floral notes, and flavors that pick up melon and wrap up with a mineral crispness on the finish. Stellar. Probably runs $25.
2005 Domaine de Fenouillet Cotes du Ventoux Rose -- Light partidge eye color, and a delicate, floral nose of wild strawberry. Bone dry with subtle fruit with fresh herbs carried with good acidity. Screams for a picnic. This runs about $9, too.
So, with 100 wines, our favorites were two cheap roses and a CdP Blanc. I don't know if that says more about us or the 90* temps . . .
A last note, I tasted through a verticle of d'Issan -- 1989, 1995, 1999, 2000, and 2003. The '00 was the standout, and the 95 seemed very fresh and lively. The 89 was popped and poured straight into my glass with no time to open up, so I was left with the unhappy alternative to just swirl and drink it, or sit with it in the botton of my glass like an idiot for the next little while. So, I just sloshed it back. All toothpicky. Um, decanters? . . .
Also tasted the 96, 00, 01, and 03 Lagrange. It was between the 00 and 01, and I didn't see enough difference between them to justify the price difference. The '96 tasted only of wood. Like licking the inside of a cedar chest.
Sorry to have rambled so long. If you are interested in any more specific info on anything above, let me know.
- winoweenie - 07-23-2006
Good gracious Dan you are a real "Marathon Man". My tongue hurts jes readin' all them notes. Weel done. WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]