SEMINAR HYPERLINKS

"Grenache: Down Under & Up & Over, by Bruce Leiserowitz
"Gigondas Masterclass with Louis Barruol and Pascal Roux, by Bruce Leiserowitz
"The Bio-Dynamic Duo with Michel Chapoutier and Ron Laughton", by Bruce Leiserowitz
"Cote-Rotie Condrieu Masterclass",by Bruce Leiserowitz
Is Wine Really "Art"? - Editorial, by Bruce Leiserowitz
Nine Popes Retrospective with Charlie Melton, by Allan Bree

By Bruce Leiserowitz

 "Gigondas Masterclass with Louis Barruol (St. Cosme) &
Pascal Roux (Trignon)"   
Friday, June 16, 2000 at 11:15 a.m.

This panel spent a fair amount of time discussing the Gigondas appellation, which was created relatively recently in 1971.  At present, there are about 60 winemakers in Gigondas.  Gigondas wines can have a maximum of 80% Grenache.  In Chateauneuf-du-Pape, by contrast, you could make a wine with 100% Grenache (or no Grenache at all).  Accordingly, the panel said that the wines were more homogenous in Gigondas.  In general, they thought the Gigondas wines were more a result of their exposure, and had more rustic tannins.  CdP wines were considered to be more a result of soil. 

1.  1998 Dom. des Senechaux Chateauneuf-du-Page Rouge.  The blend for this wine was 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre.  Relatively simple nose of plums, raspberries, and alcohol.  Lots of alcohol apparent in the taste, with plenty of ripe fruit.  Overall, this wine seems a bit simple for CdP; a Bruce L. 87. 

2.  1998 Ch. de St. Cosme Gigondas Classique.  This bottle was much better than the one served at the previous seminar.  More aromatic nose of plums, strawberries, and smoke.  Deeper flavors in the taste, with a noticeably peppery finish.  Quite good but short of outstanding; a Bruce L. 89.

3.  1998 Ch. de Trignon Gigondas.  Very unusual nose of strong roasted coffee, strawberry, and alcohol.  Same elements in the taste, with a lighter midpalate and finish than the 98 St. Cosme; a Bruce L. 88. 

4.  1998 Ch. de St. Cosme Gigondas Cuvee Valbelle.  Extremely aromatic nose of perfume, lavendar, chocolate, and plums.  More of the same in the taste, with rich, ripe fruit balanced with midpalate acidity, and a strong tannic finish.  Nice marriage of balance and power and a real "wow" wine; a Bruce L. 93+. 

5.  1997 Ch. de St. Cosme Gigondas Classique.  This bottle was essentially the same in aromas, flavors, and overally quality as the one poured in the prior seminar--very noticeable roasted/gamey elements; a Bruce L. 90-1+. 

6.  1997 Ch. du Trignon Gigondas.  More "lift" in the nose than the St. Cosme, dominated by spice and plums.  The plums predominate in the taste, with a noticeably peppery finish.  A Bruce L. 89-90+.   

On to  "The Bio-Dynamic Duo with Michel Chapoutier and Ron Laughton"