Steamy/swampy evening in NYC, but a good crew of old-school winegeeks gathered to welcome our old friend Arvs visit. Dinner at La Mangeoire, under new ownership but with few changes, at least to the charcuturie and chicken I had.

2013 Jamet Cotes du Rhone Blanc
Im not much of a white Rhone guy, but this was quite good. Sweet citrus and musky fruits, bright and fresh, good balance, a little almond note like an Italian white. B/B+

2011 Guigal 'La Doriane' Condrieu
Floral, oaky, moderate acids. Others liked more than I did. B-

The blind red.
Came across a bit hot to start, framboise and herbs, big ripe wine. I initially thought CA, then started thinking "03 or "07 CdP, but Paul guessed "03 so I ended up guessing Aussie GSM. But Nano stayed on theme, I was surprised this was a supposed cooler vintage wine. Others liked more than I did.

2004 P. Usseglio €œMon Aieul€� Chateauneuf-du-Pape B-

First flight
1989 Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Off bottle. Some thought corked, which I didnt get at all, more like a secondary fermentation. High/volatile acids, screechy, with a hint of spritziness. C-

1989 Pegau Reserve Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Lovely showing, nice texture, plummy red fruits with leather, herbs. and forest floor. Im used to brett in my limited experience with Pegau but other than maybe the leather nothing bretty to me. A-/B+

1990 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Red fruits, garrigue, a little mocha note. No hurry on these. Still going strong at end of evening. B+/A-

Second flight
1995 Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Papel
Mild barnyard funk, black plum fruit, mature and ready. B

2000 Mordoree €œ Reine des Bois€� Chateauneuf-du-Pape
I thought "00 was early drinking vintage, but this needs time. Raspberries, mocha, some anise notes. Tannic. A bit riper than Id prefer. B

Third flight
2001 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Big young, good acids, very firm tannins. I liked this a lot though thought it could use some time. B+/A-
2001 Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Darker fruits, lots of herb, but with some fresh barnyard. I don;t mind a little cowpatty, but really prefer it a bit dried out than perfectly fresh, B


Northern- 4th Flight
1999 Clape Cornas
Fresh, smoke over black fruits, lots of complexity and nice length. A-/B+

1999 Texier Hermitage
Black fruits, peppery spice, some leather and cocoa. Good acids but not screechy, nice length. I liked more than some others. A-/B+

Some cheese to finish.

We did our usual 3/2/1 voting, the Pegau came out on top
1989 Pegau Reserve Chateauneuf-du-Pape 11
1990 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape 9
1999 Clape Cornas 6
1999 Texier Hermitage 6
2004 P. Usseglio €œMon Aieul€� Chateauneuf-du-Pape 3
2001 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape 3
2000 Mordoree €œ Reine des Bois€� Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2
2001 Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape 0
1989 Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 0
1995 Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 0
(looks like 2 votes went astray)

Good night, and great to see Arv.

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. 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.