WTN: Fieuzal Graillot Bouchard Clos des Papes Ojai

Notes from a blind tasting lunch, July 7, 2017.

Jansz Wine Company Premium Cuvee (Tasmania) – this bubble was showing a decent if not effusive nose, good mousse and medium length. Some pleasant citrus flavours.

2016 Jolie-Lade Melon de Bourgogne Antle and Chalone Vd.– I finally got the varietal after much painful floundering around – the first US example of the grape I’ve had. Very pleasant citrus and peach based nose, medium colour, good balance and clean finish. Quite good.

2009 Ch. Fieuzal blanc – some colour on this one, and some Semillon in the nose, as well as peaches and candied ginger. Good acidity.

2014 Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage blanc – this Marsanne Roussanne blend showed some warmth in the nose, a little nutty slight bitterness in the finish and decent pear and floral notes in the nose. Smooth, if a tad warm.

1995 Bouchard Père et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Grèves Vigne de L'Enfant Jesus – slightly funky blueberry and some spice, browning at the edges but with a fairly dark core, and soft tannins in the finish. Drank very nicely. Winner of the longest name award (if there was one)

2005 Tenute Dettori Tenores – this Sardinian wine showed mature colour, lots of secondary things happening in the nose, sweet entry and lots of terminal acidity. Don’t taste Cannonau that often. Showed sort of like an older Pinot.

1999 Clos des Papes CNduP – good nose of dark fruit, a little pong and garrigue. As it warmed in the glass it developed some ripeness in the nose. On palate it was smooth and lengthy finish. Good wine!

1997 Ojai Syrah Bien Nacido Vd. – colour pale at the edges, mature in the middle, and a nose of some very nice warm berry and tarry notes and a big hit of white pepper.

[Jenise]

Some comments:

Jansz Wine Company Premium Cuvee (Tasmania) – NV Jansz,(blanc de noir) Tasmania
This was indeed very good. I've had bottles in the past that totally passed for French, and I didn't think this did to same degree--but still, it was good. For comparison, here's my note on a bottle three years ago: "Very dry, fruit shows apple and ranier cherry. Creamy, elegant in the mouth, with classic brioche toastiness. Very French."

2016 Jolie-Lade Melon de Bourgogne Antle and Chalone Vd.– My bottle. I loved it, glad you liked it too. To your description I would add saline, crushed oyster shells, and a comment on the fact that it was bone dry--more so on the palate than you would suspect from the florals on the nose.

2009 Ch. Fieuzal blanc – What you said.

2014 Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage blanc – 80% marsanne, which showed especially on the palate. Ripe and full bodied.

1995 Bouchard Père et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Grèves Vigne de L'Enfant Jesus – perfectly at peak.

2005 Tenute Dettori Tenores – What's the difference between "lots of mature things happening" and totally shot, which is about where I'd put this. There was no primary fruit in sight, not even the faintest glimmer. A 2005 wine that drinks like a 70's syrah (which is what I thought it might be)? Not for me, this one.

1999 Clos des Papes CNduP – You covered it.

1997 Ojai Syrah Bien Nacido Vd. – Beautiful syrah nose. I guessed Northern Rhone before I tasted it. But on the palate there was a sweetness that seemed very Californian. Raspberry fruit, tar and loads of white pepper--I loved this, it was my WOTN. Thank you for bringing it!