With tonight's dinner of lamb, Jean had initially requested a Pinot Noir
from the cellar. When I demurred, she then suggested a Rhone wine. So,
down I went and came back with:

1998 Font de Michelle Chateuneuf-du-Pape
nose: cherries verging on kirsch, a hint of meat
palate: velvety smooth, cherry fruit, polished

Having now exhausted our cache of '94s and still waiting on some of our
bigger '89 and '90s, I have begun to move onto some of our more ready
'98s. If this wine is any indication, they are indeed quite drinkable
at this stage. The oak treatment of the Gonnet brothers is evident in
the polished mouthfeel of this wine, but the oak is fully integrated and
evident only as a textural element. Very nice with the lamb on a cold
Winter's night.

Mark Lipton
--
alt.food.wine FAQ: http://winefaq.cwdjr.net

On 01/23/2010 05:43 AM, Mark Lipton wrote:
> With tonight's dinner of lamb, Jean had initially requested a Pinot Noir
> from the cellar. When I demurred, she then suggested a Rhone wine. So,
> down I went and came back with:
>
> 1998 Font de Michelle Chateuneuf-du-Pape
> nose: cherries verging on kirsch, a hint of meat
> palate: velvety smooth, cherry fruit, polished
>
> Having now exhausted our cache of '94s and still waiting on some of our
> bigger '89 and '90s, I have begun to move onto some of our more ready
> '98s. If this wine is any indication, they are indeed quite drinkable
> at this stage. The oak treatment of the Gonnet brothers is evident in
> the polished mouthfeel of this wine, but the oak is fully integrated and
> evident only as a textural element. Very nice with the lamb on a cold
> Winter's night.
>
>
Thanks for this Mark, sounds like an agreeable CdP. I'm also finding
the '98s opening up nicely, although I don't have this particular one.

I was looking forward to seeing M. Gonnet during the December "salon,"
but apparently they have abandoned it, as have others.

You'll be amused to know that unpacking boxes to go into Paris I found
several stashes of mags, with a bunch of CdP including several 89 and 90
Cuvee Gonnets, so we are stocked for your eventual visit! (Third
time being a charm, right?)

-E

On Jan 22, 11:43*pm, Mark Lipton > wrote:
> With tonight's dinner of lamb, Jean had initially requested a Pinot Noir
> from the cellar. *When I demurred, she then suggested a Rhone wine. *So,
> down I went and came back with:
>
> 1998 Font de Michelle Chateuneuf-du-Pape
> nose: cherries verging on kirsch, a hint of meat
> palate: velvety smooth, cherry fruit, polished
>
> Having now exhausted our cache of '94s and still waiting on some of our
> bigger '89 and '90s, I have begun to move onto some of our more ready
> '98s. *If this wine is any indication, they are indeed quite drinkable
> at this stage. *The oak treatment of the Gonnet brothers is evident in
> the polished mouthfeel of this wine, but the oak is fully integrated and
> evident only as a textural element. *Very nice with the lamb on a cold
> Winter's night.
>
> Mark Lipton
> --
> alt.food.wine FAQ: *http://winefaq.cwdjr.net

I've only got a few 98 CdPs, no biggies (I have things like Chante
Cigale, Gardine, Boursan), I should probably start trying
Thanks