More notes

[Florida Jim]

2002 Clos de la Roilette (Coudert), Fleurie:

Given about an hour in the decanter, it integrates and opens nicely; the essence of grace and backbone; a perfectly strummed chord of fruit across the palate and quite persistent. With homemade pizzas, delicious.

1987 Vincent Arroyo, Cabernet Sauvignon:

Substantial sediment requires decanting; even after an hour in the decanter, it’s a bit closed on the nose but with a high toned mint-like aroma that climbs almost to a VA register; solid fruit in the mouth with none of the cooked notes typical of this vintage, foursquare and plenty of grip; drying but longer than expected finish. A 100% cabernet wine that was, from release to 2004, the most tannic wine I ever tasted. Still tannic but the fruit shines through with food even though it’s still pretty closed. Lots of stuffing, little development and no real way to judge what will come next – a song I sing often with aged/aging CA cabernet.

1999 Jasmin, Côte Rôtie:

Closed upon opening; after two hours in a decanter, its typicité, complexity and fruit make an appearance but barely and without balance. A wine for tomorrow and tomorrow and . . .

2002 Dönnhoff, Riesling (QbA):

Cleansing acidity with a beautiful, semi-sweet, mountain stream palate; aromatic, lovely and long. So delicious and balanced. Yum!

1999 Trimbach, Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile:

Alex, I’ll take ‘Always Reliable Wines’ for $1,000; if the answer is Alsace, ‘who is Trimbach’ is the question. Excellent riesling from first sip to aftertaste – every vintage, this one included.

2002 Clos Roche Blanche, Gamay Touraine:

There are good wines and then there are great wines; this is one of the good ones; others will try to make great wines (and it can be done at this price point, albeit seldom) but, while they’re at it, CRB will continue to make gamay that goes well with your dinner and tastes delicious. As does this one.

Best, Jim