TN: so-so & worse VdP, good white Burg and Beaujolais

With capon roasted with lemon & thyme, served with a lemon/black raspberry sauce and some braised escarole, the 2004 Henri Bourgeois "Petit Bourgeois" Sauvignon (Vin de Pays du Jardin). Grapefruit and gooseberry, a bit dilute and short on the finish. Needs a little more acidic zip too. All the elements are there, there just aren't enough of each of them. B/B-

A friend who brought a host gift recently said " I love going to Rochambeau (local store) for gifts for Dale, I just say ' for Dale Williams' and they pick out something." In the past that has indeed worked quite well, but someone there must have thought this past holiday was April Fools not Christmas. With leftover lamb (Betsy flew to NC Wed AM) the 2003 Domaine Magellan Vieilles Vignes Grenache/Carignan (VdP de Thongue) is one seriously overripe bottle of Grenache. Sweet overripe raspberry and red plum fruit, a bit of herb but overwhelmed by that jammy/round fruit. I keep a glass around for the evening, but change is not for the better, and almost entire bottle goes in the vinegar crock.I can see this being very popular with some, but this is NOT my style. C

Ah, now this is better. A 375 of the 2000 Jean-Noel Gagnard "Les Caillerets " Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru. Stones and stone fruit, a touch of lemon on top of the honied peach fruit, lots of minerality on the finish. Fair dose of oak, but integrated nicely. Maybe 2006 isn't going to be a vinuous disaster after all. A-

Tonight leftover capon, with some spinach. Some of the Gagnard, plus I open the

2004 Domaine Dalicieux "La Jacarde Vieilles Vignes" Beaujolais-Villages. Fruit is sweet without being simple or cloying, mostly strawberry with hints of black raspberry and bitter cherry. Earthy, with mineral/rock notes. Light-bodied, but not insubstantial, nice classic Beaujolais. Excellent QPR at somewhere around $11. B+

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

Reply to
DaleW
Loading thread data ...

DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.