Saturday, March 19, 2005
Cloître
2 r. des Cloîtres
Vienne, France
Phone +011 33 4 74 31 93 57
This very nice tiny two story gourmet oriented restaurant offers exceptional
cooking and a smart, well chosen wine list.
We drank a wonderful 2003 Pochon Crozes Hermitage Blanc
Very fresh, clean, well balanced and delicate. After a day of almost nothing but Viognier as a white wine the idea of having a Marsanne and
Rousanne blend was more than appealing, it was a pre-requisite. The pale straw colored wine gives off fresh limes, wet stones and green
pears. On the palate the pear flavor drives through followed by citrus flavors of pink grapefruit and Crenshaw melon.
Even though we were in the Rhone, given the cooking and the varying flavors, I wanted something less intrusive and more delicate. The 2002 Comte Lafond Sancerre Rouge was the perfect choice. Many people forget that Pinot Noir exists beyond Burgundy in France.
While some recall that it is made in Alsace, not that many realize that there is Pinot Noir in the Loire. This one from Lafond is charming to say the least. Think of Saintsbury Garnet, with a smoky overtone and bright bing cherry, wild cherry and sour cherries all blended together.
Is this Burgundian? No. It's Loire and its wonderful as the slight cedar overtones but with lovely coffee and raspberry flavors in the finish.
Cloitre is one of those kinds of places where you feel like the only people dining. The service is very personal, yet also very polished. That said, if you ever find yourself in the Rhone Valley, put this moderately priced spot on your list. Dinner for two with the wine, bottled water and an aperitif was $139 Euros.
In my book, that's a find.
2 r. des Cloîtres
Vienne, France
Phone +011 33 4 74 31 93 57
This very nice tiny two story gourmet oriented restaurant offers exceptional
cooking and a smart, well chosen wine list.
We drank a wonderful 2003 Pochon Crozes Hermitage Blanc
Very fresh, clean, well balanced and delicate. After a day of almost nothing but Viognier as a white wine the idea of having a Marsanne and
Rousanne blend was more than appealing, it was a pre-requisite. The pale straw colored wine gives off fresh limes, wet stones and green
pears. On the palate the pear flavor drives through followed by citrus flavors of pink grapefruit and Crenshaw melon.
Even though we were in the Rhone, given the cooking and the varying flavors, I wanted something less intrusive and more delicate. The 2002 Comte Lafond Sancerre Rouge was the perfect choice. Many people forget that Pinot Noir exists beyond Burgundy in France.
While some recall that it is made in Alsace, not that many realize that there is Pinot Noir in the Loire. This one from Lafond is charming to say the least. Think of Saintsbury Garnet, with a smoky overtone and bright bing cherry, wild cherry and sour cherries all blended together.
Is this Burgundian? No. It's Loire and its wonderful as the slight cedar overtones but with lovely coffee and raspberry flavors in the finish.
Cloitre is one of those kinds of places where you feel like the only people dining. The service is very personal, yet also very polished. That said, if you ever find yourself in the Rhone Valley, put this moderately priced spot on your list. Dinner for two with the wine, bottled water and an aperitif was $139 Euros.
In my book, that's a find.
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