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DaleW
 
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Default TN: Rhones, Barolo, GruVe, and a pre-modern Quinault

Originally Betsy was supposed to be out of town Friday, so I had agreed
to a night with a local tasting group. Then her plans changed, so she
was home. Luckily the tasting group was meeting at 8:30, so we had an
early dinner. Betsy made some lemon-herb duck breast, served with
leftover mushroom risotto. I opened the 1997 Ceretto "Zonchera" Barolo
Fruit-forward with ripe cherries and raspberries and quite oaky, not
bad. The following night it showed better - round, with ripe red fruit
and some tar as well as some vanilla. B+

The tasting group had a Rh=F4ne theme for this month. The wines were
served blind, and accompanied by cheese and pate.

Fruity and easy, a bit of pepper and spice. Fairly light, but quite
pleasant. It's the 2001 Jaboulet "Parallele 45" C=F4tes du Rh=F4ne. A
former QPR fave that had slipped over a few vintages, best in a while.
B

Next up is a medium-bodied red. Some smoke and grilled meat, modest red
fruit. A tad acidic. Guy who brought it says it's 100% one grape, so I
take a stab in the dark and guess St. Joseph. Turns out to be the 2002
Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage. Not awful, but not up to Graillot's
usual standards. B

Bigger, with some floral notes and leather, the next wine has mostly
black fruit but with a note of kirsch. It's the 2000 Chante Perdrix
Ch=E2teauneuf-du-Pape. Pretty good. B+/B

Next wine is even bigger, a ripe somewhat tannic red. Very ripe kirsch
and blackberry liquer fruit, a little toasty oak, low acid. I guess an
early arriving 2003 CdP, it is not, it's the 2001 Vieux Telegraphe "La
Crau" Ch=E2teauneuf-du-Pape. Nice wine, needs a little time for the
tannins to resolve. B+/A-

Next wine has some light oak, modest acidity, and rather dilute fruit.
I't's the 2001 Domaine Duseigneur "Angelique" Lirac. I'd pass. B-/C+

My wine was the 1998 Guy Bernard C=F4te-R=F4tie. Decanted a couple of
hours, it had some smoky bacon aromas.Not an especially big C-R, but a
nicely structured medium-bodied wine that developed in the glass, with
some freshly plowed earth and floral notes intertwining with the
bacon/meat aromas above the fruit. A-/B+

By this time it was midnight, the host brought out another Rhone, the
2001 Louis Bernard C=F4tes du Rh=F4ne. After the last few, this seemed
light and simple, but I'm not sure I was paying much attention so no
score.

Then Saturday we had some friends over for dinner. The appetizer was
smoked salmon canapes, with which I served the 2001 Johann Donabaum
Spitzer Point Reserve Gr=FCner Veltliner. Big rich Gruner, white fruit
with a touch of apricot and pineapple, possibly just the slightest bit
off-dry. Long finish from this mouth-filling wine. Label says there's
some light botrytis here, wouldn't have guessed except maybe that
apricot note. Best so far of the GVs from I've gottten from
winemonger.com, even if less typical than the '02 Donabaum. A-

Main course was leg of lamb (rosemary/garlic), with sides of baked rice
with almonds, salad, and a spicy green bean dish with coconut (?!). As
noted above, the '97 Barolo showed a bit better than previous night. We
also served the 1995 Ch.Quinault (St. Emilion). This is the estate now
known as Quinault l'Enclos, but the wine was made before Dr. Raynaud
bought the property. Nice medium-bodied Merlot, with sweet red plum
fruit and fully resolved tannins. There's a distinct mineral/leadpencil
note, and a bit of spice. This is fully mature, the first 1995 I
remember saying that about. Smooth and easy, and a big hit around the
table. 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

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