The Red Wings came out strong in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Blackie, and so did we. The Pittsburgh Penguins pressed in the 1st period, and of course, Detroit had the obligatory goal called off because of Tomas Holmstrum’s reputation, but Detroit weathered the storm and took over the game in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Chris Osgood was great in goal, shutting out the Pens 4-0. We like to think that we did our part by conjuring up some great red Rhône mojo from Cornas. We got things started pre-game with some killer rainbow trout on the grill and a delicious rosé.
2007 Chateau Mourgues du Gres Costieres de Nimes Rosé “Les Galets Rosés,” 13.5% alc., $14.50: Made from Syrah and Grenache using the saignée method, this strawberry pink colored libation offers rich, earthy strawberry and raspberry flavors and aromas with less minerality than I might have expected, but in this case, that’s fine. Not as austere as some from, say, Provence, but not as ripe as many new world models, this falls into a nice in-between style that we’ve already enjoyed on several occasions so far this spring. Having good weight and balance, this is almost pungent, for lack of a better descriptor of its expressive personality. All in all, a very appealing rose that compliments a variety of dishes very well, and like so may, drinks well all by its lonesome.
Imported by Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA
At game time, it was time for some serious red Rhônes, and for such an important game, we popped not one, but two.
2000 A. Clape Cornas, 13% alc.: This wine looks like a glass of ink with a dark garnet tinge, and although I’ve yet to visit the Rhône Valley and smell the garrigue, how else to describe the first impression on the nose, but garrigue?! On the palate, there’s more of the same, with a huge core of still-primary (but accessible) black plum and currant, along with some leather and a hint of bacon as it opens. Traditional, but not rustic, and still showing ample structure, though by no means monolithic, this is more than just drinkable, but still at least five years from starting to show its best. This one has a long life ahead of it, so best to let it rest until 2013 and see what you have then. Very fine indeed!
Imported by Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA
1999 Alain Voge Cornas, 12.5% alc: There’s a slight cloudiness to the dark garnet color here, and it sports a sea air, garrigue and black fruit nose. On the palate, it give earthy black plum and current flavors shaded with herb de Provence and stony minerality. Full bodied with big structure, an impressive core of fruit, and as of yet, not tertiary characteristics of any kind. Drinking well now, but at least four or five years from its best, this is a solid Cornas, but not as expressive as the Clape. Many thanks to a long lost friend for this one.
Wings shut out the Pens again tonight; I'll post notes in the next day or two. Can you say Chave, boys and girls?
Reporting from Hockeytown,
geo t.