Murder in Myrdal

[Thor]

Clinging to the edge of a steep, forested hillside about halfway through the journey, our train grinds to a surprisingly rapid halt. Theres no announcement of the reason, not even in Norwegian, and heads are craning. Presently, we see the conductor walking past our window. We peer forward, then back; there are sheep scampering down the hillside, a few men and dogs doing their best to herd them down the precarious slope.

Our guess is correct: the train has hit a sheep, and theres a collection of shepherds and train personnel gathered a few dozen meters behind us. As were pondering the length of the delay, and whether or not it will affect the scheduling of our onward journey, the conductor approaches our window once more. He yells ahead, and in response the train inches forward for a minutejust far enough to take us out of a line-of-sight view of whats about to happen. For now, gripped in each of the conductors hands, is a pair of rather fierce-looking hatchets.

continued here. Notes follow:

Josmeyer 2001 Pinot Gris Le Fromenteau (Alsace) Pristine and mineral-driven, fruited with crisp pear and ripe apple, and seasoned with just a bit of salt. (No, reallytheres a hint of salinity that Ive never found in an Alsatian pinot gris, though its fairly common in certain coastal whites.) Neither fat nor aggressive. The finish is long, suggesting hints of the spice that will emerge with more age. While this is drinking well now, were I to own any Id wait a while, because its still holding back, and because the crystalline minerality thats slowly being revealed is a little more zirconium than diamond at the moment. (9/08)

Collet 2002 Chablis Montmains 1er Cru (Chablis) Fattish nose of seashells. Good structure. Simple. Disappears rather abruptly on the palate. This is mostly bones, with precious little flesh. (9/08)

 

[Rahsaan]

an interesting bottle that doesnt entirely detonate our price ceiling (its only about twice what it would be on an American wine list)...Josmeyer 2001 Pinot Gris Le Fromenteau

From my experience, it would also be quite rare to find an 01 Josmeyer Pinot Gris on an American list.

Or is that because I don't scan the Alsace sections closely enough?

 

[Thor]

I can't speak to your attention to detail, Rahsaan.

 

[Florida Jim]

originally posted by Thor:
Collet 2002 Chablis Montmains 1er Cru (Chablis) Fattish nose of seashells. Good structure. Simple. Disappears rather abruptly on the palate. This is mostly bones, with precious little flesh. (9/08)

Sorry to hear this.
This bottling is all stainless, whereas their Grand Cru and other Premier Crus see some wood. Hence, I think it is possible that you got to this wine during a closed phase - but that may be wishful thinking.
Best, Jim

 

[Chris Coad]

originally posted by Rahsaan:

an interesting bottle that doesnt entirely detonate our price ceiling (its only about twice what it would be on an American wine list)...Josmeyer 2001 Pinot Gris Le Fromenteau

From my experience, it would also be quite rare to find an 01 Josmeyer Pinot Gris on an American list.

Or is that because I don't scan the Alsace sections closely enough?

My guess is that you don't notice pinot gris because it lacks innate nobility.

 

[Thor]

Hence, I think it is possible that you got to this wine during a closed phase - but that may be wishful thinking.

Or it could be accurate thinking. At Norwegian prices, we weren't going to try a second bottle in order to find out.

 

[Rahsaan]

originally posted by Chris Coad:
My guess is that you don't notice pinot gris because it lacks innate nobility.

Tough critic.

I guess every grape can't measure up to your hierarchical standards.

 

[Chris Coad]

Pinot gris is a landed-gentry grape at best.

 

[Thor]

To be sure, I rarely order pinot gris of any lineage in restaurants. In specific reference to the Alsatian version, nearly every time I do (in Alsace) it's because we're eating red meat, as it's the most sensible local pairing.