Cote Rotie 2006 - Yves Cuilleron

Its a cold Tuesday night in Paris. We needed something to warm ourselves on and we decided to go south, to the top bit of the Rhone valley where they grow delicate Syrah grapes. Cote Rotie, the most northernly appelation in Rhone on the west side of the river where the Syrah grape is planted on steep steep hills made of schist and gneiss.

The area is close to the wonderful white wine of Condrieu and up to 15% of the Viognier grape can be used in the wine as well.

Yves Cuilleron, a dynamic passionate wine producer, has established himself here over the last 20 years with some very good and vibrant wines. Our favourites are the Condrieu (incl the new sweet one) but he also makes great Cote Rotie.

So on this cold wintry day we tried a bottle of the young 2006 Cote Rotie "Bassenon". Deep dark purple red colour with a great smell of pepper and brambles with a beautiful fruity peppery long finish. Heat to every corner our bodies. Magical stuff.

Expensive at 30€ a bottle but worth every centimes on cold wintry days.....

Cote Rotie, Bassenon, Rhone Valley, Yves Cuilleron 2006

Comments

Vougeot 2007 by Domaine de la Vougeraie

Vougeot is most known for its Grand Cru Clos de Vougeot with over 80 producers, but there are some basic Vougeot as well. One of the best is Clos de Prieure where Domaine de la Vougeraie has all the rights. 2007 is quite a stylish year in Burgundy, not too hot, but with lots of ripe fruit due to an early warm spring. The wine is medium dark red, lovely smell of cherries, raspberry and vanilla oak. Slightly minerally also. The wine has a lovely silky firm taste that is quite long and balances perfectly all the way through. Lovely stuff with a price that is not to scary! This is "poor" man's Clos de Vougeot ! Vougeot 2006 "Clos du Prieure" Domaine de la Vougeraie, 40 -50€, solide stuff! http://www.en.domainedelavougeraie.com/index.php?site_id=6&p=456

Bordeaux- Le prelat du Ch. Pape Clement 2004

This is one of two second wines of the famous and expensive Ch. Pape Clement in Graves. Although young, 2004, this wine drinks really well already if you put it on carafe a couple of hours before consumption. Dark red colour, with a very attractive smell of blueberries and dark berries, its a full bodied wine with firm but nice tannins that goes best with some food. 2004 although not the best of vintages, keep surprising me with good drinkable wines at affordable prices, because from 2005 and onwards there is a big step up in prices.... Grapes; Cabernet Sauvignon 60% and Merlot 40% Price around 20€ P+

Ogier Chateauneuf du Pape 2010

This is a quite reasonable Chateauneuf du Pape (ca 200 NOK or 15€). The colour is medium ruby color which was a bit surprising. Nose of ripe black cherries and liquerice with a medium + body and finish with firm tannins. The wine can be drunk now but has definitely the potential for ageing (5-10 years). Chateauneuf du Pape 2010, Ogier Bring out the steak!

Life is too short to drink bad wine

Search This Blog