1998 Thierry Allemand Cornas Chaillot - ready?
- Thread starter Roger LaMarque
- Start date
Well, it wasn't from your cellar, but I've had Clape and Verset back to 1983 and Allemand back to 1991 (although I only own from 1994) and the last interesting vinatge of Clape for me was the 1991. I liked the 1994 and 1995 on release and now on their own they are very, very good wines.
I'm splitting hairs here, but when you put 1995 and after Clape in the same room as Verset or Allemand it occupies a boring middle ground.
You may remember years ago after a bottle of 1998 I was worried that an Australian intern was let loose in the cellar with all the blueberry aromas to that wine.
So, I won't dismiss Clape out of hand, but unless I run into well stored 1991s or 1988s (esp Kermit bottling) my syrah budget goes to Eric, Allemand, and Gonon.
Claude Kolm
Claude Kolm
It was actually his terroir at the southern end of Cornas which is different from the rest of Cornas, thereby yielding a lighter style of wine. Stphane Robert/Domaine du Tunnel has the vines now and also has done additional planting in that sector.
Well, I can give you the long answer: ask me in about 10 years, but - like most students in life - you didn't want to here that. As long as we are injecting vignerons in this Cornas thread, what say the citizens of Durand's? From what I've read, they appear modern, but are they any good?
scottreiner
scott reiner
robert michel's wines are (were) amazing. i believe vincent paris got all his vines, but i am not a fan.
Claude Kolm
Claude Kolm
Dere ain't none (although to be fair, Robert is working in much riper vintages; if you look at what Juge did in a ripe vintage for the time, such as 1989, the wines were atypical for him at the time.
Claude Kolm
Claude Kolm
Bathazar is good in elegant style. Uses demi-muids, very traditional.
Durand Frres are on a big learning curve, have improved a lot in the last ten years, but still have a way to go -- and they're quite candid about it. Also, they don't necessarily have the best terroirs, if I recall correctly (notes aren't in front of me right now).
Larry Stein
Larry Stein
Yes, I've drunk Clape from Claude's cellar ('88, Reynard bottling from Kermit) as well as the same bottling from '83. NOT boring, not even close. Both were at the same dinner at Acquerello. Rob Adler brought one and Claude the other. Neither had any idea about the other's intention. The '83 was right there and another 5-10 years wouldn't have hurt the '88.
A few years ago, my tasting group had a Verset Vertical (does look nice on the page, doesn't it?). 1985-1997. All of the wines were quite nice, with '85 and '88 head and shoulders above the others. I was lucky enough to be able to purchase one bottle of each from the organizer. Thor, Theresa and I drank the '85 at Manresa. It was stellar.
Sandi and I drank '98 Juges Cuvee C late last year. It was quite lovely, very pure, and ready to drink. Nice wine.
A few years ago, my tasting group had a Verset Vertical (does look nice on the page, doesn't it?). 1985-1997. All of the wines were quite nice, with '85 and '88 head and shoulders above the others. I was lucky enough to be able to purchase one bottle of each from the organizer. Thor, Theresa and I drank the '85 at Manresa. It was stellar.
Sandi and I drank '98 Juges Cuvee C late last year. It was quite lovely, very pure, and ready to drink. Nice wine.
Jay Miller
Jay Miller
While I was assuming some historical familiarity I should make the disclaimer that while I almost always find Clape boring almost no one else does. But I've had lots of bottles that people have oohed and aahed over that have left me unmoved.
Can't think of any Verset or Allemand that's done that.
Can't think of any Verset or Allemand that's done that.
Jeff Grossman
Jeff Grossman
In the "Fabio" thread you admitted liking the Allemand more than most other people at the table, so it might trend in reverse to Clape for you.
I cannot comment. I am holding myself to a strict bottles consumed/comments made equivalence per week wrt Cornas. I have only had one bottle this week, thus I can only make one comment this week. I hope to have another bottle soon. Then I will make another comment.
However, I have had several bottles of Giampiero Bea's wines this week, and would be most happy to comment on them: Very good, OK, better - only just, Great, mediocre, OK, stupendous. It should be noted that wines 4,5, and 6 were all the same wine from the same vintage opened at the same dinner. All were 2004 Pipparello. Talk about bottle variation! But the great bottle was really good. Wine 1 was 2008 Santa Chiara, Wine 2 was 2006 San Valentino, Wine 3 was 2005 Rosso de Veo and Wine 7 was 2004 Pagliaro.
However, I have had several bottles of Giampiero Bea's wines this week, and would be most happy to comment on them: Very good, OK, better - only just, Great, mediocre, OK, stupendous. It should be noted that wines 4,5, and 6 were all the same wine from the same vintage opened at the same dinner. All were 2004 Pipparello. Talk about bottle variation! But the great bottle was really good. Wine 1 was 2008 Santa Chiara, Wine 2 was 2006 San Valentino, Wine 3 was 2005 Rosso de Veo and Wine 7 was 2004 Pagliaro.
Claude Kolm
Claude Kolm
Interesting choice. Very atypical wines for the region because of their high acidity.
Steve Lanum
Steve Lanum
According to comments attributed to him that appear online, Thierry Allemand is unhappy with his 2009 wines because they reach or exceed 15% alcohol. My understanding is that he harvested early, too. Seems things like this will just keep happening. The prices for his wines have really shot up with the '07 vintage (to over $110 + tax for Reynard around me). I'd never argue he doesn't deserve more. (I couldn't figure out how to italicize the 'he.')