Continuing a rather sporty weekend, on Saturday I was a guest of InterRhone at the Twickenham double header.
Two games of premiership rugby and a feed, with good company and some nice wines. What’s not to like?
I even took some notes of the wines. Louis Barruol of Saint Cosme, and David Quillin of Cave de Tain were there, with some of their wines. We also had some Jaboulet wines on the table. I’ve written up the Saint Cosme wines separately here, and below are my notes on the other wines.
Jaboulet Condrieu Les Cassines 2009 Northern Rhône, France
Rich and quite bold with nice pear and peach fruit. Intense and boldly textured this has some melon richness and a broad mouthfeel. 90/100
Jaboulet Crozes Crozes Hermitage Blanc Mule Blanche 2010 Northern Rhône, France
Fresh, mineral and a bit spicy with white peach and herb notes. Good texture with peach, herbs and what seems to be a bit of toasty oak. Lemony finish. 90/100
Jaboulet Saint-Joseph Le Grand Pompée 2009 Northern Rhône, France
Smooth, ripe and pure with blackcurrant and black cherry fruit, backed up by notes of meat, cherry and spice. Supple, pure and nicely expressive with some mineral and spice notes, finishing tannic. 90/100
Cave de Tain l’Hermitage Crozes Hermitage 2009 Northern Rhône, France
Lovely fresh nose with notes of olive and black cherry/berry fruit, with some peppery freshness. Supple, with good concentration and real typicity. Stylish effort. 90/100
Cave de Tain l’Hermitage Au Couer des Siècles Hermitage Blanc 2008 Northern Rhône, France
Mineral, spice, herbs and toast to the fore. Very fresh with good acidity and subtle oak influence. The palate shows white peach fruit with spice. Lovely texture and intensity, with an almost saline quality. Stylish. 93/100
Cave de Tain l’Hermitage Epsilon Hermitage 2005 Northern Rhône, France
Rich, oaky and spicy with sweet, dense blackberry and black cherry fruit. Real intensity here, and a bit of elegance, but the oak is rather dominant. May resolve with time. 92/100
Cave de Tain l’Hermitage Gambert de Loche Hermitage 2007 Northern Rhône, France
Intense, bold black cherry fruit with notes of olive, tar and spice. Firmly structured with grippy tannins under the rich black fruits. 91/100
