Coturri strikes again and Gahier disappoints

[Oswaldo Costa]

2002 Coturri Pinot Noir Lost Creek Vineyards 15.3%
Don't know what possessed me to immolate myself on a Coturri once again but the eternal optimist reared his incorrigible head on seeing this for sale at Chambers recently. Didn't notice the alcohol level, otherwise might have thought more than once. Cork comes out easily, suggesting a less than tight seal. Brett and volatile acidity overwhelm fruit that could have been a contender. Tastes like something much, much older, thin and acidic, with a bitter finish, and quite hot.

2007 Michel Gahier Arbois Trousseau Grands Vergers 12.5%
Have a weakness for Trousseau and this neighbor of Puffeney's was recently lauded by both Chambers and Crush, so let's give it a try. A bit of bretty barnyard makes the unidentifiable berry aroma plesantly leathery. Attractive, juicy, good balance, but the sensation of brettiness increases and keeps getting in the way. Can't some of these guys be a bit cleaner? A shower every day, please. At the end of the evening, bottle empty, I prefer Puffeney and, way especially, Tissot.

 

[SFJoe]

Nothing like Coturri to make you long for Tissot.

There is a big Coturri winemaker dinner in NYC on Tuesday, Oswaldo, maybe you can make it back?

Sadly, I have to be out of town.

 

[David M. Bueker]

A Coturri winemaker dinner? Hopefully they will cook the winemaker.

 

[Cliff]

originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:

2007 Michel Gahier Arbois Trousseau Grands Vergers 12.5%
Have a weakness for Trousseau and this neighbor of Puffeney's was recently lauded by both Chambers and Crush, so let's give it a try. A bit of bretty barnyard makes the unidentifiable berry aroma plesantly leathery. Attractive, juicy, good balance, but the sensation of brettiness increases and keeps getting in the way. Can't some of these guys be a bit cleaner? A shower every day, please. At the end of the evening, bottle empty, I prefer Puffeney and, way especially, Tissot.

I just had this, too. I got some brett but not a ton. My reservations had more to do with ripeness or lack thereof.

 

[scottreiner]

i have found the wines to be getting more stable through the years. i don't know what in the vineyard or wine making process would result in this, though. they are, however, still wines i avoid.

 

[Oswaldo Costa]

originally posted by SFJoe:
There is a big Coturri winemaker dinner in NYC on Tuesday, Oswaldo, maybe you can make it back?

Dsol!

Truth be told, henceforth, that or a visit to the winery are the only settings in which to try his wines, since presumably he'll keep opening 'em until he finds a good one.

originally posted by David M. Bueker:
A Coturri winemaker dinner? Hopefully they will cook the winemaker.

Sous vide? He definitely deserves a roast.

Cliff, while I didn't find it underripe by "natural" standards, a touch more ripeness might have balanced the bit of brett. I had a glass of Chaussard "You Are So Beautiful" the other day that had a bit of brett, but it was fine because in balance with everything else.

 

[Thor]

They're more stable, I think, but when they're intact they all taste like California grenache. Which is fine when you're making California grenache, less so when it's pinot noir, or zinfandel, or whatever else.

I'd point out the rampant VA problem in otherwise intact wines, but it seems like piling on.

 

[lars makie]

I've had three bottles of the Gahier in the last month or so, and don't remember any brett. If it was there, it wasn't prominent at all and definitely didn't get worse as it opened. Bottle variation? Probably. I really liked it. Though, I'm with you Oswaldo, in that I prefer the Puffeney Trousseau a bit more. But, the Gahier is lovely just a little more lightweight than the Puff. It seems to be the type that would really shine with the right food. If you have other bottles, I hope they show better.

 

[VLM]

Coturri wines are terrible. I've had maybe one I enjoyed in the 20 years I've been tasting them. They were a string of unmitigated microbial and oenological disasters.

Some people disagree.

 

[Florida Jim]

I am not a fan.
But they used to make a Jewel vineyard pinot that was very good from vines over 40 years old on Sonoma Mountain. Big but tasty.
Best, Jim

 

[Claude Kolm]

originally posted by VLM:

Coturri wines are terrible. I've had maybe one I enjoyed in the 20 years I've been tasting them. They were a string of unmitigated microbial and oenological disasters.

I think you win the Charlie Brown football award for continuing to try them for 20 years.

 

[VLM]

originally posted by Claude Kolm:

originally posted by VLM:

Coturri wines are terrible. I've had maybe one I enjoyed in the 20 years I've been tasting them. They were a string of unmitigated microbial and oenological disasters.

I think you win the Charlie Brown football award for continuing to try them for 20 years.

I try to keep an open mind. I haven't done much of that in the last 10 years or so. If one is open and around, I'll smell it just for a chuckle.

 

[Oswaldo Costa]

Lars, have you tried Tissot's Trousseaus?

 

[lars makie]

originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:
Lars, have you tried Tissot's Trousseaus?

I haven't. The wines don't make it into the Chicago market that I know of. I just picked up a Tissot Poulsard the other day though as I'm staying in New York. I take it you're a fan? I'll have to keep my eye out while I'm here.

 

[Oswaldo Costa]

originally posted by lars makie:

originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:
Lars, have you tried Tissot's Trousseaus?

I haven't. The wines don't make it into the Chicago market that I know of. I just picked up a Tissot Poulsard the other day though as I'm staying in New York. I take it you're a fan? I'll have to keep my eye out while I'm here.

Definitely a fan of their Trousseau (the Poulsard is good too). WS shows some 07 Tissot Trousseau at Appelation Wine & Spirits, in Chelsea, which is an interesting shop, worth a visit. There's some 06 at Bacchus, but I haven't been there.

 

[lars makie]

originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:

originally posted by lars makie:

originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:
Lars, have you tried Tissot's Trousseaus?

I haven't. The wines don't make it into the Chicago market that I know of. I just picked up a Tissot Poulsard the other day though as I'm staying in New York. I take it you're a fan? I'll have to keep my eye out while I'm here.

Definitely a fan of their Trousseau (the Poulsard is good too). WS shows some 07 Tissot Trousseau at Appelation Wine & Spirits, in Chelsea, which is an interesting shop, worth a visit. There's some 06 at Bacchus, but I haven't been there.

Nice. Thanks for this. If I ever get out of work during daylight hours, I'll make my way over to Appellation.

 

[Sharon Bowman]

Make your way over there, then make your way quickly to Trestle on Tenth.

 

[Matteo Mollo]

All i have to say is Jean-Marc Brignot...hands down the best trousseau experience ive had. love that guys wines with a passion.

 

[Oswaldo Costa]

originally posted by Sharon Bowman:
Make your way over there, then make your way quickly to Trestle on Tenth.

Indeed! Last Wednesday they had Pinon Vouvray Ptillant Ros by the glass, as well as a nice Chaussard "You Are So Beautiful" (but avoid the 05 Thierry Germain Saumur-Champigny, needs time).

originally posted by Matteo Mollo:
All i have to say is Jean-Marc Brignot...hands down the best trousseau experience ive had. love that guys wines with a passion.

Will have to look for it in France, don't see it in WS.

 

[Sharon Bowman]

originally posted by Matteo Mollo:
All i have to say is Jean-Marc Brignot...hands down the best trousseau experience ive had. love that guys wines with a passion.

Which bottling?

I've had the just Trousseau (apparently there are others), vintage 2004, a good handful of times, and it is a funky delicious mess.

Opinions differ, but J-M B might not be making wine any more?