Bistro Tasting

Met up with 2 friends, Robert & Volker, at a local Bistro where we take our own wine and pay corkage. First up was a bottle Robert had brought with him.
Domaine Yves Cuilleron 'Les Chaillets' Vieilles Vignes 2005
Buttery nose, traces of peaches and honey; not as 'heavy' as previous vintages, a slim-line model and all the better for it, good acidity makes this a fine drink. Condrieu of this quality will age but tends to fill out and become 'voluptuous' and too much for one man! We ate chopped cuttlefish in garlic sauce(the cook is in love maybe...cos it was a GOOD dose)...but the wine combatted the food and we came out unskaved. Condrieu is about the only style of wine that could cope with menus 'al la' El Bulli in Spain.
Points 18



The two bottles I had brought were covered up so the other two had to puzzle over land, grape etc...nothing like it to build up an appetite.
ConoSur Ocio Pinot Noir 2003
Casablanca Valley Chile
Purple colour, medium deep; the nose reminded me of a children's drink 'Ribena' which is very strong cassis, wild strawberries as well; juicy flavour, with the cassis touch continuing, no tannins, easy drinking and a good length. This wine spends 12 months in French oak and the grapes foot-trodden by young Chilean woman
(last bit is not true..but the alcohol is taking over by now)
Points 17






Ziereisen Jaspis Pinot Noir Alte Reben 2004 Baden Germany
I first encountered this Vineyard a year ago..and drank the 'Rhini' 2002 over a period. It had won a gold medal in Decanter magazine. I recently ordered some half bottles of 2004 'Rhini' and some bottles of this.This is the next step up..and was top of a flight of Spätburgunder wines tasted in Germany.
The vines are 45 years old and the wine spends
22 months in oak.
We realised as we drank..this needs decanting..after every visit to the glass it had changed, opened and improved. Full, classy Pinot, cranberries; excellent weight, meaty wine but elegant and with perfect balance. This is super now but will improve over the next few years.We stayed with this one until it was empty before returning to the previous wine.
Points 18

Both wines went well with the lamb in mustard sauce and a good havana and a Latte Machiatto ended the usual excellent evening.