St. Joseph Wine

• October 2009

  Well, there's always the Parker ratings... ;-) Unfortunately he has been the main culprit in the rise to the stratosphere of premium Rhone wine prices in the past decade or two. I had a small 'horizontal' the other night of eight Chapoutier wines from the 2005 vintage. The... Read moreWell, there's always the Parker ratings... ;-) Unfortunately he has been the main culprit in the rise to the stratosphere of premium Rhone wine prices in the past decade or two. I had a small 'horizontal' the other night of eight Chapoutier wines from the 2005 vintage. The Chante-Alouette at the 'bottom' end, L'Ermite at the top, Cuvee de l'Oree and Le Meal in between but closer to the top, and a St. Joseph Les Granits in between but closer to the bottom in pricing for the whites, while there were also reds, but that's for another thread. The prices on the Japanese market range from $55 or more for the Chante-Alouette to $300 or more for the L'Ermite. 15 years ago the prices would only have been a fraction of what they are now. You'll need to look for specific wineries and negociants (like Chapoutier which has been very good for the past 20 years or Jaboulet, which has slipped in recent years) as valued by the marketplace or recommended by acquaintances, wine forums, etc. And taste as much as you can on your own, so you can then find what you think to be the best so you can recommend them to friends, customers, et al. As a final note, my horizontal the other evening further clarified the common sense Brad Coelho mentions above that St. Joseph provides a lot more value for the dollar. This lack of 'classification' may make marketing wines in new markets like China more challenging, but also should be a lot more fun for you. The Bordeaux classifications from 150 years ago are extremely problematic, anyway...    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Rhone White Wines for Fall by dmcker

  
  

• October 2009

  This subject is near and dear to me. My wife loathes white Rhones, mostly due to the fact that she craves acidity in her whites and several of the white Rhones she's tried verge on the soft, plump end of the spectrum. Something to remember is that there are a slew of different... Read moreThis subject is near and dear to me. My wife loathes white Rhones, mostly due to the fact that she craves acidity in her whites and several of the white Rhones she's tried verge on the soft, plump end of the spectrum. Something to remember is that there are a slew of different grapes that go into these wines, all with distinct profiles, textures and flavors. White Hermitage is probably considered the most 'noble,' as the best (from Chave) can evolve into Meursault-like expressions of Marsanne, w/ brilliant minerality and honeysuckle driven flavors. These are also the most expensive, but whites from St. Joseph, though rare, are an excellent introduction into fine, old vine Marsanne. Viognier from the north, whether it be Chateau Grillet (the only appellation named for the producer, or vice versa) or a fine Condrieu is one of the sweetest smells in wine. Apricots and wild flowers, w/ a bit of peaches mixed in for good measure. These wines, in my opinion, need to be drunk very young, while their vibrancy is at an apex, showing off their exotic beauty. They tend to lack the structure to age, yet exceptions to the rule always exist. The southern Rhone gets confusing, but a good place to start is in the generic 'Cotes du Rhone' appellation. Janasse makes cheap, fabulously pure white CDRs and St. Cosme is a consistent winner for the price. The two stalwarts of Chateauneuf blanc are stylistic opposites- w/ Beaucastel's big, thick Roussanne dominated whites being the most famous (total winter wines, low in acidity and jammed w/ rich, unctuous flavors), but Clos des Papes being the most fine. Clos des Papes is a melange of just about every white grape allowed in the region, w/ racy acidity, firm mineral grip and subtle, nutty flavors. Rayas is another white that is way too pricy, but ages beautifully. For those that want to migrate from the new world to the old, Boisrenard blanc & Domaine St. Prefert use a bit of oak to spice up their whites & they may be good starting points. Much love for the white Rhones- tis the season to pop one!    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Rhone White Wines for Fall by Brad Coelho

  
  

• September 2009

  Ok, so back to work eh? --Chapoutier Chateauneuf du Pape Croix de Bois - not familiar with --Chateau du Mourre du Tendre (J. Paumel) Chateauneuf du Pape - not familiar with --Domaine de Cristia Chateauneuf du Pape - can have a bit of new wood and fairly modern levels of... Read moreOk, so back to work eh? --Chapoutier Chateauneuf du Pape Croix de Bois - not familiar with --Chateau du Mourre du Tendre (J. Paumel) Chateauneuf du Pape - not familiar with --Domaine de Cristia Chateauneuf du Pape - can have a bit of new wood and fairly modern levels of concentration and density but the wines remain fairly classic, a very successful enlightened traditional style --Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Chateauneuf du Pape - a lot of wine in the bottle. Big stuff but maybe too big. The Cotes du Rhone on the other hand is consistently one of the best. --Domaine Gramenon Cotes du Rhone Cuvee des Laurentides - Another great value in Cotes du Rhone, more elegant and earthy than the above --Domaine Pontifical Chateauneuf du Pape - In some books this might be called an under-performer. I think it's one of the few wines of the region that have simply remained unchanged during the past decade. Priced well and in truth bested in certain aspects by the top Cotes du Rhones but still enjoyable and a touchstone for the region. --Guigal Chateauneuf du Pape - ordinary, extremely so but it can be a decant value --Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape - Should not be on this list. It's a wine that has few peers when made well but falters badly at times. There's a group of producers in the world, Quintarelli and Soldera spring to mind, whose wines are incomparable. They are more easily compared to each other than their peers. These are all winemakers who take great risks to achieve brilliance but sometimes fail. --Georges Vernay Condrieu les Chaillees de l`Enfer - Has a good reputations, I sold these several years back at retail and tried them over several vintages but I have difficulty mustering enthusiasm for Viognier --Pierre Dumazet Condrieu Cote Fournet - i am not familiar --Chapoutier Ermitage les Greffieux Vieilles Vignes - never seen this --Guigal Crozes Hermitage - can be a good value in a rather simple but well made syrah --Yann Chave Hermitage - oaky and soapy last time I tried it with little Hermitage character --Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage 'La Chapelle' - variable and over-priced --Chapoutier Cote Rotie la Mordoree - modern, nice wine but not what I would consider terribly typical --Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie Cuvee Classique a pretty good value, nice wine nicely made though there was certainly an evolution of style from 1999-2005 which is the last vintage I've tried. These have been rather inexpensive around here. --Guigal St. Joseph Vignes des Hospice - I've never tried this --Paul Jaboulet Aine Cornas Domaine de St. Pierre- I haven't tried this for quite a few years. Jaboulet, along with Delas, used to make some of the best Cornas. They bought fruit from all the producer who now bottle their own. Glorious wines made from the 60's through the late 80's at least. Seems like the price is out ahead of quality though.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Chateauneuf-du-pape... by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  

• September 2009

  As many of you already know I am a big fan of older California Cabernet Sauvignon. Heck I’m a big fan of most older wines from California but Cabs and Cab based blends are the ones I most frequently encounter. This past Monday night I joined a group of friends for an evening of... Read moreAs many of you already know I am a big fan of older California Cabernet Sauvignon. Heck I’m a big fan of most older wines from California but Cabs and Cab based blends are the ones I most frequently encounter. This past Monday night I joined a group of friends for an evening of mature California Cabernets served blind. I did an excellent job of guessing none of the wines exactly correct, and the evening turned into a near vertical of Mayacamas Cabernets, some of the most traditionally made, and classically styled wines to ever have come out of California. One can comfortably say that, all things considered, it was quite a successful evening.  The wines were served in flights of 2  Flight 1 - Wine number 1 was a bit weedy and leathery with a touch of thinness on the mid-palate and a feathery finish but still retained a nice core of jammy fruit. It reminded me of Sonoma Mountain Cabernet from a mature yet warm vintage. I guessed Laurel Glen Cabernet, 1984 if I would be pushed. It was 1979 Mayacamas. Wine number 2 - from magnum - This was tight on the nose with cool black fruits and a dusty mineral tone but offered up an impeccably fresh quality that followed through on the youthful palate that was elegant, balanced and packed with perfectly ripe fruits. It felt like a Dunn Howell Mountain from a ripe yet tannic vintage, 1986 perhaps. Well it was Dunn Howell Mountain all right, but from 1981. A great bottle and my wine of the night!  Flight 2 - Wine number 3 was a bit high toned on the nose with a typical but undistinguished array of smoke, leather and cassis notes. In the mouth this was fairly soft and a touch past peak with a nice spicy cinnamon tone and chalky tannins on the finish that made me think of some older Spring Mountain Cabernets, maybe the 1985. In fact this was the 1976 Chappellet. The wrong side of the valley but at least I’m still in central Napa. Wine number 4 - smelled cool and lean with notes of bittersweet cocoa and leafy tobacco notes still accentuated by a bit  of French oak. It had a red fruit quality in the mouth and a leafiness that together made me think that this had some Cabernet Franc in the blend and it had a soy element that made it seemed fairly evolved but it’s chewy tannins put me in the mind of  a fairly rich vintage. Without specifying producer I volunteered 1986 Howell Mountain as the source for this fruit. The fact that it was 1987 St. Clement kept me once again at about the right latitude in Napa valley.  Flight 3 - Wine number 5 -  This was so fresh and youthful on the nose with white chocolate, cherry and peanut brittle notes. In the mouth it was smaller scaled than the other wines of the night but with impeccable balance, freshness and finesse that is so rare in California. I brought this bottle so no guesses but it was the 1975 Ch. Montelena Wine number 6 - Complex aromatic of poop, blood and rusty mineral tones filled the glass of this rich wine. It had a lot of acidity, but so much rich fruit that I ignored this obvious hint about the vintage. The finish showed signs of cracking up so we knew this was rather older. I guessed a 1976 Diamond Creek wine. In hindsight, I should have known that was 1975 acidity and the wine was 1975 Mayacamas.   Flight 4 - We had three wines in this flight Wine number 7 - Another wine showing it’s age on the nose with note of maderization creeping into the core of red fruit. This was full and soft in the mouth with the remains of what seems like fairly aggressive structure keeping the rich mouthfeel intact. Notes of dried fruits hint at a fairly warm vintage here. I began thinking this might be a 76 or 77, both drought years that produced big, yet rustic wines, but the wine seemed to be older so I went with a 1974 Joseph Phelps wine. Seeing as this was 1978 Montelena I can’t say I was terrible close here Wine number 8 - This had a great nose full of classic scents of American oak, smoke, ripe fruit, herbs and earth.  This offered up such a wonderfully pure and seamless mouthful of red cherry and wild berry fruit yet was a bit simple. All that red fruit and the wonderful aromatics reminded me of a great bottle of 1974 Ch. Souverain I enjoyed quite a few years back and while, I was way off since this was the 1978 Ridge Monte Bello at least I guessed somewhere outside of Napa! Wine number 9 -A touch of mint on the nose with really fresh tones of aloe and watermelon were a bit surprising.  In the mouth this was feminine and a bit minty with an angular quality. It reminded me of some Heitz wines, specific the Bella Oaks so in keeping with what I thought was a vintage theme, and it was though not the vintage I was thinking of, I guessed 1974. I should have had a hunch that it might have been another Mayacamas, 1978. Flight 5 - Wine number 10- This stood out a bit as a rather evolved wine with a bitterness to the tannins and leafy character that seemed to be the result of a distinctly cool vintage. It was complex and evolved so all I could do was guess a vintage and region. 1973 Sonoma, close but not quite as this was a ringer, the 1971 Ch. Latour! Wine 11 -Also showing plenty of age on the nose this had a distinct medicinal quality yet retained a core of rich chunky fruit. The texture here was beautiful and seamless with just a hint of chunkiness on the backend. Such a ripe yet elegant wine, it must have come from a great vintage. Shall we say 1968 Napa? Say what you will, that doesn’t change the fact that this was the 1974 Mayacamas! So that was that. I didn’t do too terribly poorly in a very general sense. The wine were mostly delicious, and a testament to both the age worthiness of California Cabernet and the difficulty of identifying vintages much less producers and vineyards. The golden age of California Cabernet was certainly the 1970’s and much of the 1980’s, though by the early 1980’s there were many movements a foot, food wine anyone, cult cabs perhaps, that would fundamentally change the way the vast majority of California Cabernet s were to be made in the subsequent vintages. Having said that the Producers we enjoyed this evening: Mayacamas, Montelena, Ridge and Dunn all continue to produce benchmark California Cabernet s and have remained true to their roots! I can't wait for our next California showdown.      (hide)

  From the article Mature California Cabernet 9/2009

  
  

• September 2009

  Branching out a bit further, can I ask for some opinions, Greg, on more southern and northern Rhones? I found your comments above, as always, both informative and useful. Some of the list below I know, but others not, and I'm considering trying them. --Chapoutier Chateauneuf du Pape... Read moreBranching out a bit further, can I ask for some opinions, Greg, on more southern and northern Rhones? I found your comments above, as always, both informative and useful. Some of the list below I know, but others not, and I'm considering trying them. --Chapoutier Chateauneuf du Pape Croix de Bois --Chateau du Mourre du Tendre (J. Paumel) Chateauneuf du Pape --Domaine de Cristia Chateauneuf du Pape --Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Chateauneuf du Pape --Domaine Gramenon Cotes du Rhone Cuvee des Laurentides --Domaine Pontifical Chateauneuf du Pape --Guigal Chateauneuf du Pape --Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape --Georges Vernay Condrieu les Chaillees de l`Enfer --Pierre Dumazet Condrieu Cote Fournet --Chapoutier Ermitage les Greffieux Vieilles Vignes --Guigal Crozes Hermitage --Yann Chave Hermitage --Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage 'La Chapelle' --Chapoutier Cote Rotie la Mordoree --Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie Cuvee Classique --Guigal St. Joseph Vignes des Hospice --Paul Jaboulet Aine Cornas Domaine de St. Pierre Finally, ran across another attractive-looking 2007 Cotes du Rhone, for just under $20: --2007 Le Clos du Caillou “Vieilles Vignes” Cotes du Rhone, North Berkeley Cuvee North Berkeley Imports brings it into the US, and got the winemakers to bottle a special cuvee for them. 80% Grenache, 13% Syrah and 7% Mourvèdre, and it supposedly drinks like a C9dP twice its price. Have some on order, though I haven't tasted it yet.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Chateauneuf-du-pape... by dmcker

  
  
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  August 2009

  Georges Vernay St.-Joseph 1996

  Snoothrank: Starting at $15^.00

  No written review

  Wine review by sevenxray

  
  
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  August 2009

  Saint-Joseph Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve NV

  Snoothrank:

  Surprisingly good pinot noir from the Grand River Valley of Ohio. This wine has a deep color with cherry, blackberry and plum fruit

  Wine review by clabber

  
  
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  July 2009

  Domaine Alain Paret Rochecourbe Saint-Joseph Syrah 2003

  Snoothrank:

  Ifound this wine very average . There just did not seem much to it I have had much better Rhones.

  Wine review by gocab

  
  
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  July 2009

  Domaine Jean-Louis Chave St. Joseph Offerus 2006

  Snoothrank:

  No written review

  Wine review by Andy Pols

  
  

• July 2009

  I'm Chad Carns, author of The Gourmet Bachelor - Global Flavor, Local Ingredients cookbook. I've been studying food and wine for years but I'm not a wine expert or a chef. I try to bring global food and expert wine knowledge to the home cook in a simple way. Enjoy my tasting... Read moreI'm Chad Carns, author of The Gourmet Bachelor - Global Flavor, Local Ingredients cookbook. I've been studying food and wine for years but I'm not a wine expert or a chef. I try to bring global food and expert wine knowledge to the home cook in a simple way. Enjoy my tasting notes from Aureole Wine Weekend Las Vegas..... The Gourmet Bachelor Wine Review Tasting Notes by Chad Carns 1 - 10 Rating Scale 8 - 10 Special 5 - 7 Recommend 1 - 4 Pass Special: Wines exhibit several layers of flavor, something unique, perfect balance or a long finish. Recommend: Wines exhibit depth, interest or amazing value. Pass: Wines taste extracted, plastic, flat or just bad. Descriptive words refer to the initial aromas released from the bouquet, flavors that roll around your mouth while tasting the wine or with great wine, flavors that linger 10, 20 and occasionally 60 seconds after you consume the wine. ___________ Aureole, Las Vegas Wine Weekend, June 12 - 14, 2009 Tasting Notes by Chad Carns, author of The Gourmet Bachelor - Global Flavor, Local Ingredients Cookbook ___________ Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc 7 Sancerre, Domaine Vacheron, Les Romains 2006 Honey Suckle, Mineral, Saffron 6 Pouilly Fume, Didier Dagueneau, Silex 2002 Grape Fruit, Lavender 7 Savennieres, Coulee de Serrant, Nicolas Joly 2004 Hibiscus, Chai Tea, 6 Savennieres, Coulee de Serrant, Nicolas Joly 2004 Dandelion, Citrus, Light Ash 8 Savennieres, Baumard 1988 Cream Corn, Black Pepper 7 Vouvray, Huet, "Clos du Bourg," Demi-Sec 1962 7 Vouvray, Huet, "Clos du Bourg," Moelleux 1995 Baked Apricot, Chai Tea, Coriander ___________ Northern Rhone, France White: Marsanne, Rousanne, Viognier 7 Hermitage Blanc, Bette & Scholl 2001 Subtle bouquet, Red Pepper Flakes, long finish 7 Hermitage Blanc, Chapoutier, Cuvee de L'Oree" 1991 7 Chateau Grillet, Neyret-Gachet 2001 Exotic Fruit, White Cherry, Floral 8 Condrieu, Guigal, "La Doriane" 1996 Expressive Bouquet, Bacon 7 Condrieu, Gangloff 2002 Slightly Oxidized, Mineral 7 Condrieu, Guigal 2006 Balanced ___________ Northern Rhone, France Red: Syrah 7 Cornas, Auguste Clape 2004 Dirt, Stem, Raspberry, Sea Mist 7 Cornas, Alain Voge, "Cuvee Vieilles Fontaines" 1999 7 Cornas, Thierry Allemand "Reynardt" 2004 Elegant 7 Cornas, Noel Verset 1995 ___________ 7 Cote Rotie, Chapoutier, La Mordoree" 1996 Strawberry 8 Cote Rotie, Jamet 1997 Granit, Black Pepper, Special 7 Cote Rotie, Jean-Michel "Les Grandes Places" 2001 8 Cote Rotie, Rostaing, "La Landonne" 2004 Special ___________ 7 Cote Rotie, Delas Freres "Maugiron" 2004 7 Cote Rotie, Cuilleron, "Bassenon" 2005 Sea Mist 8 Cote Rotie, Pierre Gaillard, Rose Pourpe" 2001 Rustic, Cinnamon, 7 Cote Rotie, Gangloff 2002 ___________ 7 Hermitage, Chapoutier, La Sizeranne 1997 8 Hermitage, JL Chave 2001 8 Hermitage, Jaboulet, "La Chapelle" 1990 (100 pt Parker) Cassis, Espresso 8 Hermitage, Chapoutier, "La Pavillon" 1994 ___________ 7 Hermitage, Delas Freres, "Les Bessards" 2003 Classic 7 Hermitage, Guigal, "Ex Voto" 2001 Driftwood, Sage 8 Hermitage, Betts & Scholl 2004 7 Hermitage, Guigal 1998 ___________ Aromatic White Wines of the World 7 Weissburgunder, Heidle Schenkenbichl, "Maximum," Kamptal, Austria 200 Cantaloupe, Honey Suckle, Fresh Basil 8 Riesling, Breuer, "Montosa Charta" Rhiengau, Germany 1997 Spice, Chalk, Full-bodied, Crisp, Special 7 Albarino, Iberian Remix, Edna Valley 2008 Tarragon 7 Chablis, Francois Raveneau, "Montee de Tonnerre," France 2004 Lime, Chalk, Crisp 6 Gruner Veltliner, Huber, "Berg," Traisental, Austria 2004 Lychee 7 Chardonnay, ISC, Arroyo Grande 2007 Cucumber, Citrus ___________ California Syrah 7 Syrah, Arnot-Roberts, Griffins Lair," Marin 2005 Spearmint, Cranberry, Pomegranate, Old-World style 7 Syrah, Copain, "Hawks Butte," Mendocino 2004 Big Mouth Feel 7 Syrah, Miner Family, "La Diligence," Napa 2005 Old-World style ___________ Washington Syrah 8 Syrah, Columbia, "Red Willow," Columbia Valley 1998 Cinnamon, Currant, Eucalyptus, Floral 8 Syrah, Mathews, "Hedges Vineyards," Columbia Valley 2002 Deep Black Tar, Venison 7 Syrah, McCrea, "Amerique," Columbia Valley 2000 Cherry, Sea Breeze ___________ California Cabernet 7 Cabernet Sauvignon, Seavey, Napa 2003 Cassis, Violet, Sea Breeze 7 Cabernet Sauvignon, Martin Estates, Reserve, Napa 2001 Italian Sausage, Fennel, Green Peppers, Onions 7 Cabernet Sauvignon, Laurel Glen, Sonoma Mountains, 2002 Violet, Vanilla 7 Cabernet Sauvignon, Abreu, "Madronna Ranch," Napa 2002 7 Cabernet Sauvignon, Vineyard 29, "Grace Family," Napa 1994 Lavender, Raspberry, Pine 8 R.T.W. Colgin, "Cariad," 2001 Napa Quince, Unique 8 Cabernet Sauvignon, Joseph Phelps, "Eisele," Napa 1984 8 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beaulieu Vineyards, "Georges de Latour" 1976 Old World, Special 8 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mayacamas, Napa 1970 Special ___________ Washington Cabernets 7 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau St Michele, Columbia Dried Rose Pedals 7 R.T.W. Woodward Canyon, "Charbonneau," Columbia 1987 Black Tea, Molasses 7 R.T.W.Hedges, "Red Mountain Reserve," Columbia 1988    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic 1990 Hermitage, 1976 Cabernet... by The Gourmet Bachelor

  
  

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