TN: 1998 Domaine de la Tourade Gigondas Font des Aïeux

The Detroit Red Wings made short work of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2nd Round of the NHL Playoffs, and we got our Red Rhône mojo workin’ right from Game 1, starting off with a very fine Gigondas, courtesy of Kurt “Indiana” Wieneke.

1998 Domaine de la Tourade Gigondas Font des Aïeux, 14.5% alc.: This has only gotten better since we first tried it back in December of ’05. It still shows good, dark color, with no rust as of yet, and it offers an expressive perfume of black raspberry, blackberry, iron, smoke and cola. There’s plenty more of the same on the palate, with a solid earthy anchor. Rich, full-bodied and still with ample tannins and good acids, this is delicious, but not yet at its peak, being at least two or three years away from its best. As usual, it really opens with air, becoming more and more taster-friendly. To paraphrase Jules Winnfield, “This IS a tasty Gigondas!”

Imported by J et R Selections, Mount Pleasant, MI

-from Red Wings & Red Rhônes Playoff Diary 2008-Round 2

Reporting from Day-twah

geo t.

Thanks for the note. I purchased a mixed case of 1998 Gigondas and have been very happy with them. 1998 was a great year for Gigondas. They are perfect with outdoor food (don't want to say 'picnics' because of a pejorative connotation). I am down to one or two bottles.

Thanks for the note. I purchased a mixed case of 1998 Gigondas and have been very happy with them. 1998 was a great year for Gigondas. They are perfect with outdoor food (don't want to say 'picnics' because of a pejorative connotation). I am down to one or two bottles.

Yeah, our '98 Gigondas are gone, but at least we have some CdPs left. Our problem is that we tend to drink them when their already pretty good instead of having the patience to wait until they're great.

Are you still coming to these parts occasionally?

Love your website and all of the Rhone wine reviews/TNs. Esp the reasonably priced and interesting CDRs and CDRVs and your ability to tie it all in with your love for a pretty good hockey organization. The Wings seemed determined in this years playoffs for a change. More so than a couple of years ago when my Oil took them out in the first round. But the Oil were a Stanley runner-up caliber team that year, so you have to cut that years Wings some slack

Bryan

Love your website and all of the Rhone wine reviews/TNs. Esp the reasonably priced and interesting CDRs and CDRVs and your ability to tie it all in with your love for a pretty good hockey organization. The Wings seemed determined in this years playoffs for a change. More so than a couple of years ago when my Oil took them out in the first round. But the Oil were a Stanley runner-up caliber team that year, so you have to cut that years Wings some slack

Bryan

Thanks for the kind words, Bryan, not to mention reminding me of that 1st Round loss your Oilers!

Do you know Ruth Blakely up there?

We love those red Rhones, and we love them even more with Red Wing Wings hockey. Seems like almost every team that's knocked the Wings out of the playoffs since our last Stanley Cup in '02 went to the Finals, but only the Ducks caught that ring. Hopefully, our boys will bring the cup back to Day-twah this year.

We'll keep you updated on our Red Rhones as long as our guys keep going throughout the playoffs this year.

Cheers,

geo

Are you still coming to these parts occasionally?

Unfortunately not. My project at William Beaumont ended. I really miss Birmingham, where I stayed most of the time I was there. But I will keep an eye out for any opportunity to return.

Thanks for the kind words, Bryan, not to mention reminding me of that 1st Round loss your Oilers!

Do you know Ruth Blakely up there?

We love those red Rhones, and we love them even more with Red Wing Wings hockey. Seems like almost every team that's knocked the Wings out of the playoffs since our last Stanley Cup in '02 went to the Finals, but only the Ducks caught that ring. Hopefully, our boys will bring the cup back to Day-twah this year.

We'll keep you updated on our Red Rhones as long as our guys keep going throughout the playoffs this year.

Cheers,

geo

If we see more red Rhone reviews as a result of the Wings going deep in to the playoffs, I'll be cheering them on! I do not know Ruth. I'm based in Calgary. And there are a couple of guys on this board from Edmonton. BTW, I was spurred on to buy my first Sang de Callioux about 6 months ago because of the ones you tasted. However I picked up a bad bottle last time and haven't tried it since. Those were 2003s. I'm waiting to see what vintage shows up here next. In the meantime there are lots of $20ish Rhones to be enjoyed around here.

Bryan

Are you still coming to these parts occasionally?

Unfortunately not. My project at William Beaumont ended. I really miss Birmingham, where I stayed most of the time I was there. But I will keep an eye out for any opportunity to return.

Let us know if you make it back this way. We'll try to come up with a tasting opportunity.

Cheers,

geo

I'm based in Calgary.

So how 'bout that Darren McCarty?

Let us know if you make it back this way. We'll try to come up with a tasting opportunity.

Thanks much. When you get a chance, if you could drop me a private message with a contact phone number or email address, I will put it in my directory so I have it when I get the next opportunity.

Best,

Covert

So how 'bout that Darren McCarty?

Problem child. Actually I hear he's doing well back in Hockey Town again. Seems he had some pretty nasty financial issues.

Bryan

So how 'bout that Darren McCarty?

Problem child. Actually I hear he's doing well back in Hockey Town again. Seems he had some pretty nasty financial issues.

Bryan

Financial AND substance, but he's recovering.