TN: Rhones

It was Dave's birthday and he wanted to drink Rhones. He brought along one white, as well, to our favorite byo.

2005 Leflaive Chassagne Montrachet - the nose showed citrus and mineral, but framed in oak. Creaminess on the palate, good mouthfeel, with lingering finish, but it is so tightly wound at this point. I left some in my glass for the end of dinner, hoping it would blossom into something lovely, but it seemed to close up even further.

2000 Beaucastel - lovely sweet nose, a little herbal, a little floral. Lots of dark fruit with acidity on the palate - beautiful finish with some barnyard showing that seemed to increase as it aired. Much too early to drink this beauty.

2000 Pegau - huge, massive nose with a large dose of barnyard. Ah, some bacon fat and Asian spices showed on the palate with a great finish. Funny how the barnyard subsided on this with air and transferred to the Beau. Both Chateauneuf du Papes were excellent.

1999 Jamet Cote Rotie - at first, the nose was fabulous with dark, ripe fruit...then green olives became pronounced, still making it interesting until it became overpowering. It followed through on the palate, masking the ripe fruit that was tasted moments earlier. Puzzling wine.

1999 Jamet Cote Rotie - at first, the nose was fabulous with dark, ripe fruit...then green olives became pronounced, still making it interesting until it became overpowering. It followed through on the palate, masking the ripe fruit that was tasted moments earlier. Puzzling wine.

That does sound weird. I recently had this again, and it had all the typical warm but not over the top year notes I expect: black olive and a funky meatiness. Off-bottle or shutting down? Thanks for the notes.

-O-

1999 Jamet Cote Rotie - at first, the nose was fabulous with dark, ripe fruit...then green olives became pronounced, still making it interesting until it became overpowering. It followed through on the palate, masking the ripe fruit that was tasted moments earlier. Puzzling wine.

That does sound weird. I recently had this again, and it had all the typical warm but not over the top year notes I expect: black olive and a funky meatiness. Off-bottle or shutting down? Thanks for the notes.

-O-

My friend, who brought the wine, said it reminded her of a dirty martini. That ruined it for me - I like olives, but not olive juice, and after that remark, it's all I tasted. Others liked it more than I.

Diane,
great notes, thanks

I assume the Leflaive was Olivier (don't think Domaine makes Chassagne)?

I tend to prefer black olive notes to green in Syrah. But don't mind a hint of green olive. But I too have problems when it is pronounced.

Yes, Dale, I do believe it was Olivier.

I quite agree about preferring black olives to green in Rhones.