Thursday, January 17, 2008

Retaste: 2003 Chateau Les Pins (Blanc)

Marcus and I had a great wine tasting in November, but one of the bottles was corked. I finally got around to returning it - here is the note for you, Marcus:

Deep golden in hue, the 2003 Chateau Les Pins (blanc) was very perfumey on the nose - lavender and white flowers, papaya and limes, and a heavy dose of oak. Soft and luscious, but a bit off-balance (high alcohol, low acid) on the palate. Nice, bitter, citrus peel finish with good persistency. At its prime, drink now.
cork. 14.5% alcohol
Score: 16.5/20
Price: $21.45 (SAQ)

4 comments:

Marcus said...

Nice note. Was out of town and really need to catch up!

I had bought two of our other Midi white blend -- Domaine Mourgues du Grès Terre d'Argence Vin de Pays du Gard 2005 -- I brought one to your place and kept one. Well I finally returned the bottle I was keeping because I agree that these can seem hot. And I hate hot.

Not that I thought these either of these two were terribly hot. I found them more drinkable than a lot of popular but hot red wines. I think you've got to buy into an understanding with this kind of white grape blend that it's going to be heady to the point of seeming unbalanced.

But maybe it's fair to score the winemaker low, as you do.

Joe said...

Marcus, I wondered where you were! Warm climate generally = hot, but I think one of our favourites that night was the Jurancon (@ 15%). Some winemakers deal with the heat better than others. I don't think 16 or 16.5 is a low score, especially at this price point.

Sonadora said...

Are you expanding your cellar to the snow now? That was my dad's preferred way of chilling wine while I was home for Christmas this year!

Joe said...

Hi Sonadora - a good idea, but at -15 the bottle will freeze quickly! But I hate flash photography, and the snow throws such perfect light and a nice backdrop...