A couple of recent bottles:
'93 Roger Perrin Chateauneuf
Not to be confused with the better known cousins of Beacastel fame. I've always had a soft spot for this '93, a great success in an otherwise mediocre year. This one didn't disappoint, but is now on the decline: a big blowsy nose of bramble, tar, plum and licorice in the mouth, color still good but showing a little flab around the middle.
'90 Beaurenard Chateauneuf
A fine classic from the Coulon family, and in its prime. Served after the Perrin it showed a little tight at first, but opened to a creamy mature CdP nose with lots of layers, integrated in the mouth with leather, dark fruit, thym and (according to the rest of the table) more licorice than the previous. Very long.
'90 Coursodon St Joseph "Les Olivaie" (mag)
Who says St Joseph should be drunk young? Not the maker of this bottle, tannic and unapproachable in its youth but now as friendly a syrah as can be imagined: berry tart and spice in the nose, sweet damson, cherry, spices and just a little leather in the mouth. In its prime, sadly my last bottle. A good candidate to fool just about anybody in a blind tasting, Les Olivaie was anything but austere.
And from the AA leagues,
'03 Prieré de Ségure, Fitou
Hachette gave this 2 stars, which coupled with a ¤3 price tag was enough to give it a try. Search it out: a great deal at
4 times the price. Very dark and tannic, saddle and spice with just enough black fruit to hold it all together. A good food wine and unbeatable at the price, I layed in a couple of cases.
-E