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ChangeMe
Barrel Filler
Posts:1210
 | | 05/02/2005 3:20 PM |
| SEATTLE DOES PRE-90 CHATEAUNEUF- APRIL OFFLINE AT KASPARS - Kaspars Restaurant in Seattle (4/30/2005)
Roy Hersh put together a wine dinner at Kaspars restaurant in Seattle. 20-some Seattleites and a couple of candadians got together for some memorable wines. The theme was pre-90 chateauneuf and there were some truly great wines!
My table also had a mini german riesling offline built in- However I will leave those notes to someone that has a clue about German wines. Although, I do need to note that the 76 Schloss Groenesomethingoranother Auslese was amazing, and the 90 Prum and 93 Prum Goldkap were also very very nice. )
All the reds were tasted blind.
Flight 1
Started the reds out nicely with a set of 89's. I probably didn't give the Les Cailloux enough credit, but it was just over-shadowed by the other two more complex wines. In terms of drinking now, the Les Cailloux is the best wine. I gave myself a pat on the back for guessing right on the Les Cailloux- however I do admit it was only single blind as I brought it, and I had a one in eight chance of being right.
- 1989 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
A bit of brettiness on the nose, but definitely in a good way. Still a bit closed up- with some astringency and solid tannins left. A touch metallic, lots of minerality, charcoal, a little black pepper. Very nice wine with a lot of time left. (93 pts.)
- 1989 Les Cailloux (André Brunel) Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Earthy nose. Very open on the nose, very lovely with classic CdP notes. Fully resolved tannins, a bit of tomato on the very smooth and round palate. This is ready to go and delicious now. I guessed right on this one. (91 pts.)
- 1989 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
big stinky manure on the nose. A bit of a reductive sulphur element - but this blew off with a few minutes and swirls. Black fruit, blood, and a hint of tomato on the nose. Meaty, salty, soy- very complex and kept on opening up and changing. Excellent wine with lots of time left. (94 pts.)
Flight deux
A pair of 90's in between the two dinner courses. The Olivet was quite the surprise and was stunning.
- 1990 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Cedres - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Earthy, A bit of sweaty salty element. Still tannic, but not much going on. (86 pts.)
- 1990 Clos du Mont Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Wow what a nose! Big, open, fruity nose with a bit of that lovely stink to it. Big tannic palate with a lot going on. Blood, meat, herbs. So much happening. Lots of time left. (96 pts.)
Flight 3
Gotta love the VT and Beaus to round out the night.
- 1983 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
As soon as the nose hit me, I guessed it was a VT. That nose is very distinctive with the earthy, sappy, spicy profile. I can see why some might not like the VT profile, but I love it. This was a lovely wine, I would never have guess it was an 83- has lots of life left. Very open and generous, but will keep nicely for years to come. (96 pts.)
- 1986 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Nice nose, but not terribly complex. Black fruits and spice. Tastes a bit sweet on the palate. Fully resolved and nice, but not overly complex or interesting. At peak now. (90 pts.)
- 1989 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
This was an enigmatic wine. We actually had two different bottles of this vintage at the tasting, one if the first flight (grey market with a french label) and one with the english label from the primary importer. Closed on the nose and not much going on on the palate either- when this was revealed, we assumed it must have been damaged due to the vast difference between this and the other bottle. Not so. Turns out it was just very closed up and as it started to open, what a beautiful wine. Superior to the other (also great) bottle, but different. Just goes to show, each bottle of wine can be a unique experience. (98 pts.)
I was lucky enough to scavenge a few other pours from some of the other tables, but didn't mark any notes on them. There were also some dessert wines and such, but for me, the CdP's were the real deal.
Overall a great evening and some great wines. Thanks to Roy for putting together, to JasonG and Eric for helping organize and pushing dinner along, and to the other attendees for the great wines and conversation.
Posted from CellarTracker! | | | |
| David Walker
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2284
| | 05/02/2005 3:57 PM |
| | Very nice write-up. Thanks, Scott! | | | |
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