Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Cornas

TASTING REPORT

After the magnificent tasting last week on the theme "La Mouline, La Landonne, La Turque", this Monday evening, Oenoschool remained in the Rhône valley to focus on the famous Northern Rhône appellations: Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Cornas...

Hermitage Blanc Chapoutier Chante alouette 1999 ***

A pronounced robe with orange reflections. The nose is honeyed, with dried fruits, saffron and almonds as well as slight oxidation.

On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, slightly warm with notes of dried apricots, exotic fruits, and a slightly bitter finish. With aeration, it gains finesse and balance.

Côte Rôtie Gerin Champin le Seigneur 2008 ***

The color is matte and surprisingly evolved. The nose is open, with animal notes, cooked fruits, tobacco, leather...

The palate is fruity and accessible. Faithful to the nose with a hint of alcohol that emerges... the tannins are melted and the wine is relatively evolved and warm for a 2008, probably linked to its storage

Cornas Alain Voge Vieilles Vignes 2012 ****(*)

The color is purple and opaque. The nose is refined with licorice, blackcurrant, and cocoa with floral notes. The palate is remarkably balanced and elegant. The tannins are melted, the alcohol controlled and the length very respectable.

Côte Rotie Francois Villard 2012 le galet blanc ****(*)

A wine with a purple and intense color. The nose is explosive: very floral, with resin, rubber, wild berries, tobacco. The palate is very fruity with the same aromas and silky tannins. A sensual, indulgent and complex wine

Hermitage Chapoutier la Sizeranne 2003 ***(*)

A wine with an intense and barely evolved color and a kirsch and chocolate nose. On the palate, there is a marked alcohol presence (linked to the vintage) but the tannins are fine and well balanced by the fruit. A rather successful 2003.

Hermitage Guigal 2004 ***

The color is evolved and quite light. The nose is discreet with notes of tobacco and faded flowers. The palate is "medium-bodied", the tannins are melted. A nice digestible wine but lacking a bit of complexity.

Hermitage Jaboulet la Chapelle 1999 ****

The color is evolved with much sediment. On the nose, cooked fruits, leather, resin, tobacco are perceived. On the palate, the wine improves with aeration, very powerful, with very beautiful aromatic complexity (tobacco, dried flowers...) and polished tannins, a nice winter wine.

Côte Rôtie Gérin les Grandes places 2001 *****

The color is barely evolved but cloudy. The nose is complex with spices, resin and tobacco.

There is a beautiful acidity on the palate with melted tannins, a nice length with notes of tea and small red fruits. A very beautiful bottle at maturity.