Tasting notes from a blind tasting of red and white wines from the Languedoc region. In case anyone’s wondering, I correctly chose the region, and some of the varietal make-up of wines #1, #2, and #4.

’98 Ch. du Languedoc White Les Pierres d’Argent: Light golden hue w/excellent clarity; lots of legs. Fragrant floral aromas of honeysuckle, fig, and apricot matched on the palate. Full-bodied w/great acidity and balance. Viognier and marsanne are principle varietals here, not sure of the others. Very tasty – 90 pts., $19, “A” QPR (#1 white, tied #2 overall for the night).

’98 Ch. Du Trignon Cotes du Rhone Villages White Sablet: More pale than the Les Pierres d’Argent; again more of the Viognier-profile of honeyed floral notes, peach and apricot. Med. bodied white that needs a bit more acidity for balance, though not a bad effort. 84 pts., $15, “B-“ QPR (#2 white, #5 overall)

’99 Domaine D’Aupilhac Vin de Pays du Mont Baudile le Carginan: 100% carignan. Very concentrated purple-ruby color, semi-opaque, thick legs. Huge barnyard nose on this red, w/lots or red plum and dusty tannin. Short, tart plum finish. 83 pts., $19, “C” QPR. Not a bad wine, just couldn’t keep company with the rest of the reds. #4 red, #6 overall.

’99 Domaine Gros Nore Bandol: Mourvedre-based blend, very deeply concentrated ruby color, semi-opaque, w/thick, slow legs. Full bodied w/aromas and flavors of spicy red fruits and earth. Still quite tannic, needs some more time in the bottle. A good glass of wine just a bit too young. 85 pts., $23, “B” QPR. #3 red, #4 overall.

’99 Domaine Palliares (sp?) Gigondas: Deep ruby-purple coloration w/thick slow legs. Intense cinnamon, mushroom, and deep red fruit on the nose, full-bodied thick red fruit and wet earth on the palate. Quite jammy, w/a long well-balanced spice and red-fruit finish. A mouthful of soft yet firm tannins; plenty of time left in this bottle. 90 pts., $28, “A” QPR. #2 red, tied #2 wine overall.

’98 Alain Voge Cornas Cuvee Vielles Vignes: Very concentrated ruby coloration; semi-opaque w/long, thick legs. Deep aromas of sweet floral notes, red fruit, tea, spicy oak, w/ a mouthful of creamy red fruit and spice w/fine-grained tannin. Super ripe, very elegant, a long-distance red; each sip commanded another. 92 pts., $46, “A” QPR. #1 wine of the night.

[ 09-22-2002, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: kybo ]

Thanks for the notes, kybo.

I'm surprised the Dom. d'Aupilhac didn't show better, and also at the price you pay for their Vin de Pays. Here in the True North, we pay less than that (taking exchange into account) for their Montpeyroux and Le Carignane bottlings, which are constently very good, and very good QPR.

No surprise that the Voge Cornas was the wine of the night--it's really in a different class from the others, isn't it? Not to mention a different price point.

Seaquam;
The extra $$$ is a 'tax' we pay for living in this great state of highly-allocated wines. Interestingly enough, I'm starting to see some 'leveling' of wine prices between Atlanta and Louisville.

And yes, the Cornas was truly wonderful. I don't mind the price-point if the wine is worth it, and this one undoubtedly is. Truth told, all of the wines would make for a great evenings' quaffing if served separately...though it was interesting to see just how much one outshone the other.