It's time to dive back into Burgundy, as I needed something a bit more subtle, cerebral tonight after American Wine Month and South West France. With pork chops on the grill, I knew there was a bottle of Potel in the cellar, and it turned out to be an exceptional experience.The 2005 Nicolas Potel Santenay 'Vielles Vignes' was a bright cherry red in the glass, with a purpley hue at the fringe. The nose was very subtle in my Pinot Noir glass, but a quick switch to my standard INAO tasting glass helped me better analyze this wallflower. Dusty and earthy at first, it later revealed some strawberry (almost jammy), white flowers, leather, cinnamon and attractive vegetal aromas. Did I smell some grapefruit in there? Strange. Very dry on the palate, it was crisp and focused, minerally - almost chalky, with liquorice and strawberry flavours. A classic Bourgogne from an exceptional vintage for Burgundy reds. It was also an exceptional pairing, in harmony with pork chops in an Asian marinade, but it would pair very well with a wide variety of dishes. Note that I tried something new tonight - I decanted it. I never decant Pinot Noir, but some recent experiences with late-blooming wines suggested I should give it a try. It seemed to work tonight. Warning - this is not yet ready, and should be cellared for a few more years (i.e. 3-5). Note to Brooklynguy - I am betting this goes for $20s in the U.S. of A.
13% alcohol
Score: 17/20
Price: C$31 (SAQ)
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the 2006 Cono Sur Vision Pinot Noir that I am sipping right now. Is it possible to find a drinkable Pinot from Chile? For $16? Yes, not just drinkable, but incredible. The subject of a future post...
Cheers!
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16 comments:
Joe,
Sad to say that Nicolas Potel VV is not even available in US.
Sorry to hear that R&B - the local shops always seem to have a decent selection of Potel offerings, including the cheapies.
I once got grapefruit--pink grapefruit--in a Corbieres. It was funky, but kind of great in a way. I passed up the Cono Sur Pinot at Chronicle Wine this week. Maybe I have to go back...
Debs - it's the Cono Sur "Vision", just to be sure. I think they have two cuvees. It is really unbelievable for the price, and probably a good subject for GWU$20. You should go back. It may become my house Pinot.
Again I'm agreeing with Dr. Debs! (see comment on previous post).
I'll always remember the Fitou (which is an growing area surrounding by Corbieres) I opened that instantly made you think of pink grapefruit juice. I think it was a bit of an anomaly when you taste it that much -- I wonder if it's when the carignan is really green.
That entry-level Cono Sur is a marvel for $10.
Joe, I guess 17/30 is a typo rather than a revamped scoring system?
Hi Marcus. To be fair, it was a very subtle pink Grapefruit on the nose, quite pleasant. I don't have the same depth of Fitou experience so I will have to take your word on that one. Which $10 Cono Sur are you talking about? Out of 30? I don't know what you are talking about... ;)
Hi Joe,
I just wanna congratulate you on an excellent blog. I am a new fan. It's refreshing to read blogs recommending wines that could be actually found at the SAQ (I live in Montreal), as I get frustrated reading WS or watching WLTV (BTW, Gary Vaynerchuk is a riot and very entertaining) but never able to find the recommended wines in Qc!!.
Cheers and thanks for sharing your wine tasting experiences .
Fadi..
Hi Fadi. Thank you for your comments - I love to hear from my fellow Montrealers. I pick up a few bottles in Ontario or on my travels, but most are from the three downtown SAQs. I have the same problem with the other blogs/mags - can't find the wines here. Don't forget Marcus, another great Montreal wineblogger, you can click on his face above...
Cheers, and be sure to pass on any great finds!
That sounds like a good wine. Just had a nice white burg last night from Meursault myself.
Which one? I'll get to the white burgs later.
Hi Joe,
Yes, I'd like very much share with you and other fellow readers my current value wine findings. Lately I tried and liked the following:
-Garnacha Tres Picos Borsao campo-de-borja 2005 (21$; RP: 90+ pts). A 100% Grenache. To me also a 90 pointer (Carafe 1 hr).
- Pinot noir Saintsbury carneros Californie 2004 (32$). To me this another 90 pointer. Hard to find good CA pinots at this price (Carafe)
-Moulin Touchais coteaux-du- layon 1990 (44$). If you like sweet chenin blanc, then this 17 yrs old bottle is worth every penny (RP 95 points; I give it 93).
-Villa Antinori toscana i.g.t. 2003 (23$; 89 points)
*For Lebanese wine fans:
1-Chateau Musar 1998 (90 points; 51$): A very special wine..mind you it's very earthy and smells like blue cheese like some of the burgundies. NOTE: not filtered. Carafe 2 hrs
2-Syrah Cave Kouroum vallée de la Bekaa 2003 (20$; 89 points)
Cheers,
Fadi
Hey Joe - I am a Potel fan too, but I can't seem to afford my favorite bottles. This is a good lead on an inexpensive one from what I would call an under-appreciated appellation, Santenay. I'm not positive that I believe Andrew who says it's not available i the US - they ship everything else Potel over here. I'm gonna check Garnet and Astor in Manhattan...
Hi Fadi - I have been dying to try that Chateau Musar and the Borsao, I will go look for those.
Hi Brooklyn - I am a big believer in Santenay and Savigny-les-Baune in great vintages - the best way to find burg values IMHO. Let me know if you find this one down there, otherwise I can bring one.
Cheers!
Neil, Joe,
My bad for not being clear. I meant I did not find Potel Santenay Vielles Vignes only in my original post.
Potel Santenay Clos Rousseau and Clos Tavannes are indeed readily available everyhere in US. Not sure these two are the same as the Vielles Vignes
Hi Joe...For the Cono Sur Pinot, did you mean the Pinot noir Cono Sur Reserve valle de casablanca 2006 (16.70$)? You mentioned that it was the Cono Sur VISION 2006, but unfortunately that's not available at SAQ.
Cheers,
Fadi
Hi R&B - no idea either.
Hi Fadi - the VISION was purchased at LCBO, and they are nearly sold out. You may wish to check Hawkesbury?
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