Posted on 03/13/2006 12:17:42 PM PST by presidio9
The wines keep rolling in from that sizzling 2003 vintage in Europe, offering further proof that even if it's melting the polar ice caps and threatening us with inundation, global warming may not be all bad.
It hit 104 in Paris, 107 in Frankfurt and triple digits throughout French wine country in the summer of 2003, prompting winemakers to crow about a "vintage of the century," even though the century was only 3 years old.
The point is that, in often-chilly European vineyards, grapes often don't get fully ripe before fall rains set in. It's why Europeans always say their wines are more minerally and elegant, while California's are unsubtle, hot-weather "fruit bombs."
Now the Europeans are turning out something pretty close to fruit bombs, and aren't they proud?
Two weeks ago I wrote that the hot season turned out Bordeaux wines that were round, ripe and ready to drink in a few years rather than the usual decade or more.
More 2003s are arriving, and, based on tastings, the story is the same in other regions.
Chablis, the chardonnay-based wine from France's frosty northern plain, is often steely, austere and puckery; this year it's round, ripe and full of peach and apricot flavors.
Rhone wines, from the syrah, grenache and other grapes, often have tooth-sticking tannins that require years to soften; the '03s are ripe, generous and ready for immediate drinking.
In the past, the occasional French winemaker would refer to such a hot year as a "California vintage" and not mean it as a compliment. This year they have one, and they're ecstatic.
And since they're sending us such generous wines, who are we to complain?
Highly recommended
2003 Domaine Louis Moreau Chablis "Vallons," Chablis Premier Cru: rich green pineapple and green-leaf aromas; sweet-tart apricot flavors; hint of chalk; full-bodied, almost viscous; long, fruity finish; $39.
2003 Domaine Louis Moreau Chablis "Les Clos," Chablis Grand Cru: aromas of honey, apricots and tangerines; flavors of honey and limes; lots of sugar and balancing acids; long, fruity finish; $39.
2003 M. Chapoutier "Les Meysonniers," Crozes-Hermitage: intense aromas of red berries, tar and leather; concentrated red plum and espresso flavors; big, ripe tannins; opulent and generous; $25.
2003 M. Chapoutier "La Bernardine," Chateauneuf-du-Pape: spice, red fruit and barnyard aromas; black plum and mocha flavors; big, ripe tannins; sweet chocolate finish; $36.
2003 M. Chapoutier Gigondas, Gigondas: tar, mint and shoe polish aromas; black raspberry and mocha flavors; very full-bodied; powerful flavors but creamy and smooth, even velvety; $39.
Recommended
2003 Langlois-Chateau Pouilly-Fume "Les Pierrefeaux," Pouilly-Fume: oaky aroma; crisp flavors of green apples, pears and chalk; long, tart finish; $31.
2003 M. Chapoutier Belleruche, Cotes-du-Rhone: aromas of prunes, raisins and spice; $14.
Doesn't matter..I don't do french!
Anyone who would drink French anything needs to move to that country or to Iran.
But then we allow the French to supply the rocket fuel for the Space Shuttle so who cares give your money to the French and they can give it to the terrorist.
Everything about Global Warming is silly. I thought we had established that Global Warming was actually making Europe colder.
"When hell freezes over" and in looking at my appointment book that date is filling up fast.
More for those of us that do drink French wines.
At $40 a bottle of .75L french wine it may be be a bargain
but you can get decent California wines in a 5 Liter box for $10-15.
5 Liters of the french wine would cost about $266. It may be
a little better but is it 25 times better?
Click to be +/- on this low volume, sometimes highly intellectual but always goofy list.Hot air oenology news ping.
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Just what I was thinking! :)
...and Spanish wines, Portugese, Australian, etc wines.
I'm equal opportunity as well. Until we get to Greece, at least. :P
Retsina has it's good qualities, just an acquired taste.
I find myself looking carefully at labels wherever I'm shopping. If it says France, I won't buy it. If it says Denmark, I buy it. Any products.
2003 M. Chapoutier "La Bernardine," Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Those are some really great, great wines. Too bad they can't be replicated somewhere else. They are unique.
I'm disappointed there's no Pouilly-Fuisse listed. But glad quantim has recommend the 'Nuff do bop!'
I've been looking for a wonderful red I had at a huge tasting, and was told it 'must' be a 'nuff do bop.' Pardon my Texanisms, but I really do pronounce correctly!
;o)
Also Chateau De Beaucastel is another fantastic Chateauneuf-du-Pape producer. And both of these producers also make a fabulous lesser known white Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
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