Whole NY strips (short loins) were on sale, I got one and had it cut
into 2" steaks. First time I've been able to use grill in a while
(dug a path through snow to get there), plus I made asparagus and
Betsy made orzo with spinach when she got it. I went downstairs for a
Cabernet based wine, came back with a Syrah, the 1999 Alain Voge
Cornas Vieilles Vignes. This is just drinking beautifully now. Sweet
black cherries, gamey meat notes with some violet and tar. Sweet easy
tannins mostly resolved. Cornas has a reputation for rusticity but
this is more about elegance. Not a huge wine, but immensely
satisfying, and I'm sorry it's my last one. A-

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an
excellent*wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I
wouldn't*drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I
offer no*promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of
consistency.**

On 3/6/10 9:30 AM, DaleW wrote:
> Whole NY strips (short loins) were on sale, I got one and had it cut
> into 2" steaks. First time I've been able to use grill in a while
> (dug a path through snow to get there), plus I made asparagus and
> Betsy made orzo with spinach when she got it. I went downstairs for a
> Cabernet based wine, came back with a Syrah, the 1999 Alain Voge
> Cornas Vieilles Vignes. This is just drinking beautifully now. Sweet
> black cherries, gamey meat notes with some violet and tar. Sweet easy
> tannins mostly resolved. Cornas has a reputation for rusticity but
> this is more about elegance. Not a huge wine, but immensely
> satisfying, and I'm sorry it's my last one. A-

That's very good to hear, Dale. With all the accolades and hoopla
bestowed upon Clape and Allemand (at least in the circles I travel in),
it's good to remember that there are other high quality producers there.
In fact, I've got the 2000 Voge VV, which if anything should be ever
readier to drink than the '99.

Mark Lipton

--
alt.food.wine FAQ: http://winefaq.cwdjr.net

On Mar 6, 3:37*pm, Mark Lipton > wrote:
> On 3/6/10 9:30 AM, DaleW wrote:
>
> > Whole NY strips (short loins) were on sale, I got one and had it cut
> > into 2" steaks. First time I've been able to use grill in *a while
> > (dug a path through snow to get there), plus I made asparagus and
> > Betsy made orzo with spinach when she got it. I went downstairs for a
> > Cabernet based wine, came back with a Syrah, the 1999 Alain Voge
> > Cornas Vieilles Vignes. This is just drinking beautifully now. Sweet
> > black cherries, gamey meat notes with some violet and tar. *Sweet easy
> > tannins mostly resolved. Cornas has a reputation for rusticity but
> > this is more about elegance. Not a huge wine, but immensely
> > satisfying, and I'm sorry it's my last one. A-
>
> That's very good to hear, Dale. *With all the accolades and hoopla
> bestowed upon Clape and Allemand (at least in the circles I travel in),
> it's good to remember that there are other high quality producers there.
> * In fact, I've got the 2000 Voge VV, which if anything should be ever
> readier to drink than the '99.
>
> Mark Lipton
>
> --
> alt.food.wine FAQ: *http://winefaq.cwdjr.net

I love Clape (and the few Allemands I've had). but Voge and Juge are
closer to my budget.