Meeting 432 -"Bordeaux/ Languedoc- Rousillon"
Friday 21st February 2020 Neville Hall, Waltham St Lawrence
Tim North previously established France's largest wine exporter in the UK,
but became increasingly disillusioned with the quality and range offered by mainstream retailers.
He set up Joie de Vin to seek out artisan wines that are hand-crafted by small producers in limited volumes and are not
normally available in the UK.
His Aperitif was a fine example of Methode Traditionelle wine made
from Chenin Blanc. Fizzy, Fruity and crisp. The first white from Domaine La Toupie, fermented 6 months in oak, was nicely balanced,
mineral with a hint of pepper on the nose. It proved popular with the members.
The Semillon based Chateaux Brown Cotes de Roussillon Blanc had a strong nettles and flowery nose and
had been slow barrel fermented at low temperature.
The first Red, Cotes de Castillon from Ch. Le Plantey was
85% Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc was relatively light but tannic. The Domaine Trilles Côtes de Roussillon
which followed was altogether more full with a strong stone fruit nose was smooth, balanced and very long on the palate.
The Ch Lussac had a gentle damson nose with full fruit on the palate; was quite tannic and long
having spent 18 months in barrel. Like all the reds it was popular with members The Ch. Montfin Cuvee Margot
made of an almost classic mix of Syrah, Grenache and Carignane had a hint of sweetness (15% alcohol?), was very full and smooth with strong
tannins and had a long finish. It has the prospect of aging well. The following View Ch. Gachet on the other hand despite
a full body of stone fruit with a hint of tropical fruit and soft tannin was quite short on the palate.
However it was probably the most popular wine of the evening. The final red , which was also the supper wine,
from Domaine La Toupie Quatuor had a production of only 4000 bottles was rich with plum and blueberry fruit,
good tannins and was long on the palate. It deservedly obtained 92 points from he Wine Advocate.
Altogether a fine range of wines which showed some interesting
contrasts between Bordeaux and Languedoc- Roussillon.
Martin provided us with a delicious Duck Cassoulet followed by Crème Brûlée.
An excellent evening all round.
| Aperitif: Domaine de la Chaise Methode Traditionnelle Brut NV 15% | 15.29 | 7 |
| (1) Domaine la Troupie Fine Fleur Cotes du Rousilllon Blanc 2017 14% | 14.30 | 7+ |
| (2) La Pommerale de Brown Pessac-Leognan 2016 13% | 29.25 | 7* |
| (3) Chateau Le Plantey Cotes de Castillon 2015 14.5% | 13.46 | 7* |
| (4) Domaine Trilles Initiation Cotes du Rousillon 2017 15% | 13.46 | 7+ |
| (5) Chateau de Lussac, Lussac St Emilion 2015 13.5% | 14.40 | 8* |
| (6) Chateau Montfin Cuvee Margot 2016 15% | 22.05 | 8 |
| (7)Vieux Charteau Gachet, Lalade de Pomerol 2015 14% | 19.80 | 8+* |
| (8)Domaine La Toupie Quatuor, Cotes du Rousillon Villages 2017 15% | 14.85 | 8 |
** Price to members