2003 Le Chene Noir CDR Villages

[Drew]

This one's a wonderful value and has some funk! 70% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah, Cinsault and Carignan. Spicy deep raspberry, blackberry and dark fruit with hints of black truffle, earth and garrique. All I've had lately is fruit bombs and this was a nice find for $8. 13.5%Alc/vol.

Drew

[wdonovan]

I've had the 03 Le Chene and thought it was very nice. There were darn few 03 CDRs that I thought didn't taste like they were pressed from stewed grapes (too hot and arid). Provence is almost a desert to start with. Anyone out there know if 03 was the summer that many older people died from the heat?

[Innkeeper]

Sure was.

[wondersofwine]

Yes, it was. High temperatures across most of Europe that summer.

[TheEngineer]

I was in France during that heat wave and it was brutal. The final count came in I think aroudn 15,000 seniors passed away from the heat in Paris alone.

Every day it was mid 40's (celcius) which is over 130 degrees F everyday with high humidity. Brutal....it was all I could to continuously drink water...

[wdonovan]

Water? I've never yet gone to France for the water. <LOL>

[Drew]

Do agree wdonovan. While I've not had many 03's most have tasted stewed/cooked. This one was a nice change. Nice food wine, imho.

Drew

[wdonovan]

Can't wait til I can get 04s. I'm hoarding 01's cause there was nothing in 02 and I hate most of the 03's. Now I can see through so much of my Rhone racks I'm thinking of filling them with nicknacks.
I think the 04's are probably ready to ship but they won't release them until everyone drinks up all the 03 plonk. I wish they would just throw it away and sell the good stuff. <LOL>

[This message has been edited by wdonovan (edited 04-19-2006).]

[wondersofwine]

donovan, I'm drinking some nice 2002 burgundies. Loire Valley nice that year too. Consider switching to another section of France until the 2004s ship.