Clisson trumps Viking

Rahsaan

Rahsaan
A friend of mine opened the 1990 Gauthier-Lhomme Domaine du Viking Vouvray Tendre because he knew I liked Vouvray and he was excited by something with more age than he usually sees. Not wanting to be a downer I nonetheless told him not to expect much. And I was right. I found it simple sweet and boring although he seemed to enjoy the difference in texture from recently released wine. I guess it serves a purpose in that sense, but for me it is not really worth my time.

I was much happier when he reached back into the refrigerator to pull out the 2005 Ppire Muscadet Granite de Clisson. This was my first taste of the wine and the purity and focus was immediately evident and refreshing in comparison to the Viking. Light and delicate palate (which I am told by DL is to be expected from the soil) and such lovely focus. Would love to have some of this myself but a friend with a case in storage is the next best thing.
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:
Clisson trumps VikingA friend of mine opened the 1990 Gauthier-Lhomme Domaine du Viking Vouvray Tendre because he knew I liked Vouvray and he was excited by something with more age than he usually sees. Not wanting to be a downer I nonetheless told him not to expect much. And I was right. I found it simple sweet and boring although he seemed to enjoy the difference in texture from recently released wine. I guess it serves a purpose in that sense, but for me it is not really worth my time.

I was much happier when he reached back into the refrigerator to pull out the 2005 Ppire Muscadet Granite de Clisson. This was my first taste of the wine and the purity and focus was immediately evident and refreshing in comparison to the Viking. Light and delicate palate (which I am told by DL is to be expected from the soil) and such lovely focus. Would love to have some of this myself but a friend with a case in storage is the next best thing.

Yeah, I think the '05 Granite was gobbled up pretty quickly. I think there will be a lot more gobbling going on today.
 
I bought three of these 1990 Gauthier-Lhomme Domaine du Viking Vouvray Tendre and opened one so far and it was just okay. Certainly didn't live up to the Wine Spectator hype.
Someone -- Slaton? -- said the 2002s are better.
 
When I had the Clisson a couple of months ago, it didn't really start showing what it was about until it warmed up to cellar temp. and even a little warmer. It didn't strike me as light and delicate at that point. It showed some power, but was undeniably Muscadet in character. My bottles are gonna stay buried for a while.
 
originally posted by Larry Stein:
It didn't strike me as light and delicate at that point. It showed some power, but was undeniably Muscadet in character..

I guess it all depends on the comparative reference. I was expecting something richer (having the Luneau Papin Sempier Excelsior wines in my head as a reference point, however erroneously) so it came off as light and delicate in comparison to that. I agree about the power.
 
I have to agree about the Viking. Simply sweet is right. It's too bad, but it's on wine lists all over NYC, and it would be nice to drink it if only it were any good.
 
Yeah, I had a good bottle of the 1990 Viking a couple of years ago. Liked the minerality but it did become cloying after a glass. The 2002 seems to have better acid but is still very sweet. Neither of these are buys for me anymore though as my chenin preferences tend toward the extreme ends of the scale (sec and moelleux). These Vikings are labeled as sec-tendre but for me were closer to demi-sec.
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:

originally posted by SteveTimko:

Certainly didn't live up to the Wine Spectator hype.
Wine Spectator hyped this wine? That is pretty funny.

Wine Spectator,

"Great aromas of lemon zest and fresh flowers, this has the mature, burnished feel you'd expect from a 1990, with excellent cut to its candied citrus, chamomile and dried pineapple flavors. Long, stony finish has an alluring smoky hint. Drink now through 2010. 2,000 cases made."  93 points
 
originally posted by SteveTimko: Long, stony finish has an alluring smoky hint.

Nothing long or alluring about my bottle. But then again it was only one bottle and I'm sure they had a much more scientific process behind their notes :)
 
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