Asking advice on Coudert

Jonathan Loesberg

Jonathan Loesberg
A friend has asked to taste a Beaujolais with some age on it. Does anyone know how the regular 05 and the 05 Cuvee Tardive are doing? The regular 06 I had last year was in prime time, but 05 was a harder year. For that matter, any reports on the 06 Tardive? I could bring an 02 (my last bottle, alas), but I don't want to shock my friend too much.
 
'05 Tardive from mag was pretty tight last week (from Coudert). I would think '06 would be good, but I have no recent experience.
 
I agree about the 06 regular. I haven't touched the Tardive and share concerns about hard 2005's. My 2002's have been a little irregular, but the good ones are beautiful things.
 
We opened an 05 regular cuvee almost exactly a year ago, giving rise to the following note:

Young but opening somewhat with two-hour decant. Very nice with NY strip steak. Second day, smoothed out and better aromatics, though still with some tension and reserve. This wine sneaks up on you, because it lacks dramatic features that stick out, but as you drink it, its harmony, discreet flavors, and refined tannins reveal themselves bit by bit, until you realize you have a wine of some beauty in your glass.
 
So, based on these reports, I'll go with an 06 unless I hear some raves about the 02. Mine haven't been irregular, they've been pretty great. But that may be the luck of the draw. On the other hand, I haven't had one in 2-3 years, holding out on my last bottle.
 
My sample is not that big. I've had a couple of iffy bottles, but that's it, out of nine or ten so far. It's just that they were among the more recent ones.
 
originally posted by Jonathan Loesberg:
So, based on these reports, I'll go with an 06 unless I hear some raves about the 02. Mine haven't been irregular, they've been pretty great. But that may be the luck of the draw. On the other hand, I haven't had one in 2-3 years, holding out on my last bottle.

The 2006 is showing great right now. The 2002 is a wine with more to go, if you're into that sort of thing (I'm not, mine are gone).

The 2005 is a bastard. I have no idea whether this will ever be fun to drink.
 
98 Chamonard should be available in the US soon, I think. JC just released a bunch of these.
In the same family than the 2003. Etheral.
 
originally posted by Brézème:
98 Chamonard should be available in the US soon, I think. JC just released a bunch of these.
In the same family than the 2003. Etheral.

tell guilhaume i drank his.

fb.
 
Somewhat related, recently opened a 2008 CT from magnum: predictably stiff and formal for a while; served cool after a night or two in the 'fridge, the stuff of high-school crushes and plump, strawberry kisses.

Opened an 05 regular this weekend. Needs a couple of hours in the decanter, but gets really good. Less charming, more masculine, gutsy than the 08 CT, pleasingly aggressive sawing edge of acid, discreet, fine-grained tannins, balanced breadth of fruit. Unbeatable with pan-fried beef filet.
 
In the event, I brought the 06 Coudert regular last night and it showed very well with Craig Potts' home made Venison paté, although later wines overshadowed it. This should also be taken as my response to BJ's thread on 06 Beaujolais, though Cliff got there first.
 
Opened the '02 VT a couple of times in recent months...the first time the wine was brilliant, the second was a bit ripe and candied, oddly.
 
originally posted by Brézème:
98 Chamonard should be available in the US soon, I think.
Anyone who hasn't had some will want to try this.

I may have neglected to rave about this after trying it at the Dive, put it down to my selfishness. But now that I have mine, it's OK that others should get theirs with my enthusiastic endorsement.
 
Jonathan,
Had the '05 Tardive this evening and found it rather tired and attenuated. Not bad but nothing to be excited about.
And, FYI, bought on release (Chambers Street), shipped in cool weather and stored in my cellar since purchase.
Best, Jim
 
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