DaleW wrote:
> Wednesday, with lamb chops with a dry rub (cumin, allspice, and lots of
> other spices), the 1995 Jaboulet Cornas. I had no high hopes, and it
> was a good thing I didn't. Initially a bit grapey and simple, with
> rather hard tannins. Later some pepper and smoke as the fruit filled
> out just a bit (dark berry), but the fruit is still modest with a fully
> mature sense, and the tannins are still biting. Not a lot of pleasure
> in this bottle. C+

That's a shame, as '95 was a very good year in Cornas. Clape's '95 is
quite the wine, but then again he's the ne plus ultra of Cornas.

>
> Hopes were even lower for the 1998 "Vaillons" Chablis 1er Cru (375). A
> half-bottle from a vintage with a mediocre rep. But this one surpassed
> my low expectations. Less acidic than I expected, but with a very nice
> mineral core. No sign of oak (or oxidation), a clean pear and white
> peach fruit base but dominated by a stony minerality. If there was more
> acidic zip this probably would have gotten an A- from me, but a B for
> this showing.

errr... Producer, Dale?

Mark Lipton