Tuesday my brother was taking us out to dinner. As we toured his new
house, we sipped on the 2001 Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape. I liked this
much better than I remembered- sweet red fruit, wild herbs, a little
leathery note. Very typical young CdP, not shut down at all, I quite
liked. I have not historically been a big fan of Guigal's CdP, but now
have rather enjoyed the 2000 and 2001. B+

The restaurant was called Aqua Blue, in Roswell, GA. I really liked
table appetizers of tempura beans and chili calamari, and an artichoke
dip was ok. My salad was better than ok, but my trout/shitake spring
roll main course was rather disappointing, though everyone else enjoyed
their main courses (after an interminable wait). Betsy and I shared a
glass of red and white:

2004 Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir
Rather stern red plum fruit, opens to a more welcoming red berry
profile accented by smoke and cola. Good, not great. B

2005 Omaka Springs Sauvignon Blanc
Good acidity, pungent gooseberry and hot pepper nose. Grapefruit and
tropical fruit on the palate, a bit short but fine for a btg white. B

The following night we grilled steaks and chicken at my parents. I was
grillmaster (dad had a cold), and slightly overdid the steaks (I would
never buy thin Tbones, aaaggghh). But I managed to find a medium-rare
one (I'm a blue/rare guy) to match with my 2001 Havens Bourriquot.
Round lush mouthfeel, some sturdy but ripe tannins, good length. Good
acidity, ripe cassis and black raspberry flavors, some oak cocoa and
saddle leather. A-/B+

I also had a glass of the 2004 Beringers Founder's Estate Chardonnay.
Very sweet pear fruit, some vanilla aromas, rather short. Nothing I'd
want, but probably would go over well as a mass market "I'd like a
glass of Chardonnay" pour. B-/C+

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

DaleW wrote:
> Tuesday my brother was taking us out to dinner. As we toured his new
> house, we sipped on the 2001 Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape. I liked this
> much better than I remembered- sweet red fruit, wild herbs, a little
> leathery note. Very typical young CdP, not shut down at all, I quite
> liked. I have not historically been a big fan of Guigal's CdP, but now
> have rather enjoyed the 2000 and 2001. B+

Yes, after a decade or more of considering Guigal's CdP (and, indeed,
most all of their negoce offerrings) pretty bland stuff, the '00 and '01
made me rethink my position. I don't know if Guigal managed to source
better vineyards in the S. Rhone, or what the deal is, but there's been
a noticeable change for the better. Anyone had the '04 yet?

Mark Lipton