Friday, March 18, 2005
Now this is what I like. A hotel with a wine bar that actually has wines you have to think about which ones you want to try. At the Mercure in Chasse sur Rhone, a nice 3 star property not far from the motorway, they offer six different wines, including a Condrieu for dessert.
We opted to try two nice 2002 vintage releases that were complimentary with our stay.
The 2002 M. Chapoutier Crozes Hermitage Petite Rue was despite the vintage, an absolute stunner. Deep dark ruby purple, tremendous grace and elegance, and even though the wine was from the worst vintage in many in the Rhone, Chapoutier found a way to make it well. Nice blueberry and black cherry flavor, hints of plums and just a kiss of herbs de Provence.
Then there was the 2002 Domaine du Roncree Clos des Marronnieres Chinon from the Loire Valley was extremely refined, long on the palate and gobs of fun to drink. With Cabernet Franc like this, Merlot in the USA would easily be pushed away. Great flavor, lots of forward fruit with cherries and black currants, the soft red has a hint of green bell pepper in the finish.
Then we left for dinner !
We opted to try two nice 2002 vintage releases that were complimentary with our stay.
The 2002 M. Chapoutier Crozes Hermitage Petite Rue was despite the vintage, an absolute stunner. Deep dark ruby purple, tremendous grace and elegance, and even though the wine was from the worst vintage in many in the Rhone, Chapoutier found a way to make it well. Nice blueberry and black cherry flavor, hints of plums and just a kiss of herbs de Provence.
Then there was the 2002 Domaine du Roncree Clos des Marronnieres Chinon from the Loire Valley was extremely refined, long on the palate and gobs of fun to drink. With Cabernet Franc like this, Merlot in the USA would easily be pushed away. Great flavor, lots of forward fruit with cherries and black currants, the soft red has a hint of green bell pepper in the finish.
Then we left for dinner !
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