WTN: Wines with food and friends

Nathan and Evie stopped by on their trek west:

Gazpacho:
2005 Edmond Vatan, Sancerre Clos la Néore:
Initially, quite angular but after time in the glass the grassy aromas fade out, the fruit takes over and the texture smoothes; a beautiful bottle sauvignon with at least a short term shelf life. 12.5% alcohol, imported by Wine Cellars, Ltd. and about $42; actually worth it.
Excellent with the soup.

Summer squash salad:
2004 Rhys, Chardonnay:
Massive wine; concentrated, intense, very young, oaky and without question, of California origin. Not my style. 14.6% alcohol price unknown; not for me. Thanks Kevin.
Too much wine for the dish.

Anchovy, onion, olive, feta and parmesan tart:
1988 Verset, Cornas:
Complex, resolved, feminine and yet slightly sauvage; this is terrific Cornas filled with character, nuance and persistence – a great wine, at peak. 12.5% alcohol, imported by Kermit Lynch and price unknown; spectacular juice! Thanks Nathan.
Beyond perfect with the dish.

Assorted cheese:
1995 Barthod, Bourgogne:
Firm and focused; lovely aromas and strongly flavored, this shows very young but also above its AOC. ‘Makes me wonder how long my ‘99’s will require in the cellar. 12.5% alcohol, imported by Rosenthal and price unknown. Thanks Nathan.
Good with the cheeses.

Best, Jim

Nathan and Evie stopped by on their trek west:

Gazpacho:
2005 Edmond Vatan, Sancerre Clos la Néore:
Initially, quite angular but after time in the glass the grassy aromas fade out, the fruit takes over and the texture smoothes; a beautiful bottle sauvignon with at least a short term shelf life. 12.5% alcohol, imported by Wine Cellars, Ltd. and about $42; actually worth it.
Excellent with the soup.

Hi Jim,

I thought these were keepers. Have you ever tried one with a little age? I've been trying to forget about the couple I picked up, but maybe I don't need to?

I thought these were keepers. Have you ever tried one with a little age?

I haven't but would certainly like to.
Although this was quite enjoyable.
Best, Jim

Likewise! Wish I had more for a thorough experiment...

Have you ever tried one with a little age?

Admitedly only a "little" age but I had bottles of the 2002 white during the summers of 2005 and 2006 and it was always gorgeous, with the slushy subtlety that I imagine was not present upon release. Of course I'm sure it was gorgeous in a different way on upon release.

The 97 red tasted last fall was pushing it a bit however.

Have you ever tried one with a little age?

The 97 red tasted last fall was pushing it a bit however.

Pinot, no? I can see that being a drink-early wine.

Jim -

How was the '95 or the '99 Barthod Bourgogne at release? The reason I ask is the 2004 I tried a few months back seemed to me to be a good candidate for the cellar. It has a beautiful complex layered nose but the wine is so firm and intensely acidic that it wasn't much fun at the moment. I was wondering if the 95 and 99 started out the same way.

The Vatan I would love to try. Very nice catching the '88 Cornas at peak.

Enjoyed the notes, thanks.

How was the '95 or the '99 Barthod Bourgogne at release? The reason I ask is the 2004 I tried a few months back seemed to me to be a good candidate for the cellar. It has a beautiful complex layered nose but the wine is so firm and intensely acidic that it wasn't much fun at the moment. I was wondering if the 95 and 99 started out the same way.

I did not have the 95 Bourgogne at release; the '99 was quite open and delightful. But my comment (ambiguous as it was) was about the '99 premier crus I have of hers in my cellar. They were very firm at release and, especially after tasting the '95 Bourgogne, I now think they may outlive me.

The Vatan I would love to try.

Unfortunately, the last year for this wine.

Very nice catching the '88 Cornas at peak.

And especially with the dish - an absolutely astounding pairing.
Best, Jim