Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie Côte Blonde 1998
The epitome of old-school Côte-Rôtie, the 1998 Rostaing offers up an ever-evolving kaleidoscope of aromas: smokey bacon fat and animal notes at first, followed by sweet violets and steeped blackberries. It’s quite lean on the palate, with ultra-fine, well integrated tannins—a mark of maturity—underpinned by high acidity and gamey-green notes of dill and green peppercorn, […]
Four La La’s: La Landonne, La Mouline & La Turque at La Balena
I have, in recent past, promoted and sold Guigal’s single-vineyard Côte-Rôties, La Landonne, La Mouline and La Turque (affectionately known as the La La’s) to fans and collectors all over the United States. An invitation to taste these wines is not something to pass up, an event made even more special considering the vintage—all three […]
Tardieu-Laurent Hermitage Blanc 2008
I’ve tasted Tardieu-Laurent Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and fell in love—the 2008 Hermitage blanc sports a nose of buttercream frosting, soft orchard fruits, orange marmalade and toasted hazelnuts. Round, silky and decadent, it’s showing nicely now. There is a delicious interplay of oak and acid, fruit and toasted but notes. We served this with pan seared scallops and […]